Mental Health Awareness - Life Matters

Let’s Talk About It: Self-Harm and Suicide Awareness
This session will cover creating safe spaces, taking proactive approaches, practicing mindfulness, using supportive language, and building empathy both at work and on construction sites.
Our event has been rescheduled to Tuesday 12th May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May).
A cold buffet will be served prior to the presentations.
Please note: this event is for over 18’s only.
This learning activity can contribute to your annual CPD return and should be logged accordingly.

Elvin Box, MCIOB; MBA (Open), Freelance construction consultant & motivational speaker

o After serving as an apprentice carpenter and joiner with the prestigious London Builder, Holloway White Allom, Elvin’s career trajectory took him to multinational’s Bovis (where he attained MCIOB through their in-house Chartered Member course), Kier, and Mace, on major Construction Management projects, and Client-Side Program Management assignments on large infrastructure developments.

o Becoming a tutor on the Open University Business School’s MBA programme led to Elvin chairing CIOB’s International Research & Innovation Committee, and international consultancy assignments in strategy, innovation, and behavioural management.

o Since 2019 Elvin has operated across the UK and internationally as a Freelance construction consultant and motivational speaker. He is a prominent advocate for men's mental health and suicide prevention, specifically within the construction industry. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, he works closely with both the CIOB and the global men’s health foundation, Movember, writing and speaking extensively to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the sector.

o Extremely energised and especially informative, it has been said Elvin does not deliver a speech per se, but more of an engaging, motivational awareness performance.

Alan McKenzie, Principal Design Manager, Stantec and CIOB London Hub Committee – Mental Health Champion

o Starting work in Shopfitting as an apprentice, moved to architecture as an Architectural Technologist and Contract Administrator from 1988 working for large and small practices, Renton Howard Wood Levin, Sheppard Robson, Simpson Haugh & Partners.

o Alan became a Chartered Member of the CIOB in 2016 and joined the London Hub Committee until 2021, championing EDI and lead on Mental Health Matters with regular on-line talks and monthly check in calls with members.

o Continued career in Project and Design Management on projects across the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Sweden.

o Alan rejoined CIOB London Hub Committee in 2025, as a champion for Mental Health for members.

Gemma Lovell

Member Services and Events Coordinator - London

[email protected]

How can we help you get the most out of this event? We want to ensure accessibility for all of our members. Please contact us in confidence prior to attendance and we will do our best to answer any questions and support any additional needs you may have.

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Host or Publisher CIOB South England