DTSA founder hands over LSBU-IAB Chairman role, to Tim Fitch
- Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
“Our opportunistic and courageous journey on the LSBU-IAB (Industry Advisory Board), began with a single step, and has since become an ambitious adventure, based upon a compelling vision for the School of Construction, Property & Surveying. A journey that may well exceed a destination of more than 1,000 miles, I am humbled to have led from the front and successfully completed our first chapter. Never before has the role of the Chartered Surveyor been met with such a plethora of challenges, be it the sustainability agenda, amidst the ‘relevance’ the profession itself, or the rise and increasing dominance of AI. Infused by technology, particularly in the context of the existential risk of climate change; the ‘traditional’ role that Surveyors have played and will continue to play, is about to change forever. Let's help & equip the next generation, to step up to the challenge …..”
_ Dr Bola Abisogun OBE FRICS
As the second largest provider of degree apprenticeships, London South Bank University ‘LSBU’ has a rich and inclusive history of local engagement, widening participation and a subtle though disruptive culture, that aims to push the boundaries and traditional norms.
Founded in 1892 as the Borough Polytechnic Institute, it has since undergone several name changes, becoming the Polytechnic of the South Bank in 1970, South Bank Polytechnic in 1987, South Bank University in 1992 and London South Bank University in 2003.
Back at a public meeting held at Mansion House a shift was kick-started by a public appeal and by 1891 enough money had been raised to establish polytechnics at Battersea and at Borough Road, Southwark, now LSBU.
During 1890, the former buildings of Joseph Lancaster's British and Foreign School Society were purchased for the Borough Polytechnic Institute. In May that year, the South London Polytechnics Institutes Act was passed, so that by June 1891 the governing structure and general aims of the new Institute had been created. These aims were "the promotion of the industrial skills, general knowledge, health, and well-being of young men and women"
Credit: South Bank Colleges / LSBU Group
The university has also merged with a number of other educational institutions, more recently Lambeth College, who joined London South Bank University (LSBU) Group on 31 January 2019 and became one of three national pilots designed to bring Further and Higher Education together. Renamed as South Bank Colleges, it comprises Lambeth College (Clapham Campus and Brixton Campus) and London South Bank Technical College (Nine Elms Campus).
At our first and inaugural meeting held on 20 July 2022 my election as Chair was a truly humbling experience and pretty much set the stage for what became a period of deep dialogue, connection and a tremendous amount of listening, both to faculty members and students, many of them aspiring Chartered Surveyors.
It was through that period of dialogue that my ability and desire to challenge grew and became so intrinsically embedded within the IAB support structure that I was willing to be present during the very delicate ‘reaccreditation process’ that took place last year.
All students from September 2025, now have the further assurance that their degree apprenticeship, if pursuing a Surveying pathway, will form the requisite foundation towards their journey to full Chartered status.
In November 2016, the university was named the Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. Such accolades have conveniently led to the purpose and scope of the IAB which extends across our Construction, Property & Surveying [CPS] offer.
Credit: the LSBU-IAB #DreamTeam
For the last three years, our role, as a group of practising built environment professionals, was to meet with leading academics at LSBU, and for my part to challenge and ensure a better outcome(s) for students and teaching staff alike.
The Executive Team at London South Bank University [LSBU] have always maintained and stepped up to the challenge and to that end have further set the bar for themselves.
Credit: LSBU / Dr Tim Lees
Despite the landscape of opportunity for the HE sector, the funding landscape remains extremely challenging, as covered by the incoming 'new' Head of School, Dr Tim Lees _ now part of the newly structured College of Technology & Environment
"OUR MANIFESTO
LSBU Group believes knowledge has the power to impact the lives of all people, across all sections of society. To make our world more free, fair and open, help our economy grow, and leave no one behind.
Unbound by tradition, we are a leader in technical education. Learning, delivered at all levels and without prejudice, excellent and accessible in equal measure, empowers people of any age and background to achieve success on their terms;
Career-focused pathways across our institutions open up opportunities for an infinitely diverse cohort, and removes the barriers that have historically stood between so many students and their futures. We are redefining what high quality education means;
Rooted in the real world, we are a partner to industry. Research, knowledge exchange and innovation empowers organisations to work smarter, delivering real value, inspiring optimism and allowing them to see their own potential;
We work with business leaders to shape our curricula and qualifications, ensuring our learners leave ready for the rigours of work - a brilliant and diverse workforce, fit for the future. We are helping our economy to grow;
Committed to our communities, we serve society with integrity, wherever we are in the world. Access to life-changing opportunities, resources and support empowers individuals to live happier, healthier more fulfilling lives;
We work with governmental and grass-roots organisations to deliver a profound economic and social impact. For more than 125 years we’ve worked to “promote the industrial skill, general knowledge, health and well-being of young men and women”. We will never lose sight of this mission."
The principal aim of the IAB is to provide ‘actionable’ industry insights that successfully steer (and inspire) the faculty and challenge [‘quietly’ but positively disrupt] the school’s programmes and other activities of the School(s). We seek to ensure that any offers are fit for purpose and sustainable, whilst meeting the current and future needs of industry and, [critically] future proofing the needs of the students themselves.
(IAB) Industry Leaders: Anjali Pindoria and incoming 2nd Vice Chair, Jama Jama FRICS
Our very constructive and diverse conversation as members of the LSBU faculty and other industry IAB leaders online, all under the new direction of Dr Tim Lees, were voted in succession, into the new (IAB) leadership structure, as listed below:
Chairman: Tim Fitch
Vice-Chair: Adam Newell
2nd Vice Chair: Jama Jama FRICS
Future [Vice Chair:] Anjali Pindoria
As we celebrate the appointment of our new 2nd Vice Chair, Jama Jama FRICS, the IAB also congratulated our longstanding, eloquent and hugely influential contributor Anjali Pindoria – who will be leaving to go on maternity leave. I have personally assured her that she will remain as involved, as the rest of the IAB and (God willing) I look forward to welcoming her back in pursuit of her role as a new Vice-Chair, at the next round of elections in 2028.
With a 'renewed' focus on developing industry partnerships, improving student / learner experience, improving capacity and performance, stress-testing course content [via industry validation] and developing ‘leading edge’ areas of collaborative research, the IAB has (once again) got it's work cut out, over the next three (3) years!
Roll on September 2025 and the inaugural CPS Awards!
