Michael Yam FCIOB has been appointed vice president of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
In 2022, Yam will become the CIOB’s first-ever Malaysian president, and only the second Asian to be elected to the post in the CIOB’s 188-year history.
His presidency will follow on from that of Mike Foy FCIOB, who will become CIOB president in 2021, and Mark Beard FCIOB, chairman of Beard Construction, who became CIOB president at the recent Members’ Forum.
Yam has over 35 years’ experience in the construction, real estate and corporate sectors. He is currently the chairman of InvestKL Corporation which is a government investment promotion agency and also Kwasa Land, a subsidiary of one of the top ten pension funds in the world.
He was the president of CIOB Malaysia from 2005-2007, as well was a member of the CIOB Board of Trustees from 2008-2012. He is a past president and patron of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association of Malaysia and has served as a director of the statutory and construction regulator in Malaysia known as the Construction Industry Development Board from 2016 to 2018.
Yam was also appointed a member of the Advisory Board to the Mayor and City of Kuala Lumpur from 2008 to 2014. His association with the British community is maintained through his directorship of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce from 2008 to 2016 in which he still holds membership. In 2011, Yam was awarded the Malaysian title Datuk Seri, an honorary knighthood, which is conferred to an individual who has contributed highly to the nation or state.
Yam said: “I joined the CIOB in 1983 and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to the CIOB what they have given to me over the years. Belonging to a global professional institution like the CIOB is like being part of a movement. Its ideals to strengthen the construction and built environment sector mirror my own values. I greatly look forward to supporting my colleagues as we look to improve the quality of the built environment across the globe.”
Caroline Gumble, CIOB chief executive, added: “We look forward to Michael’s contribution. He has explicit knowledge of the CIOB and has been a major force promoting professionalism in Malaysia throughout his career. His connections with Government and various influencers will enhance our ability to improve the quality, productivity and efficiency of the construction industry worldwide.”
