Small Practitioners Panel

Our Small Practitioners Panel keeps members up to date with issues affecting small to medium size businesses.

The Panel provides guidance on issues that affect small practitioners within the built environment. Topics may include:
  • To be the voice across the Institution’s technical committees and panels on matters relating to small practices
  • Providing guidance to small practitioners supporting climate emergency
  • Provide greater understanding and tools to support small practices

 

Panel structure:
The constitution of the Panel aims to reflect the diversity of the Institutions membership and to provide different perspectives.
  • Chair
  • Vice Chair
  • Up to 24 other members (including members of various grades and those based in different locations)

 

Get involved:

We invite expressions of interest in Panel membership each September, contacting all members except Student Members.

Members of the Panel are expected to fully participate in supporting and driving the Panel’s activities forward.

There are many ways that you can contribute to the activities of the group, and you will be expected to do some work outside the meetings, for example drafting or reviewing guidance and keeping up to date on the latest developments that may affect small practitioners.

The Panel meet four times a year. A maximum of one meeting will be in person at Institution HQ, whilst all other meetings are held online. Online access to meetings is always available.

Contact the Panel if you have questions about their work.
 

Contact the panel

Looking for an event or training?

Explore our full programme of upcoming events and training courses.

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Featured resources and events

Training
Blue abstract blocks

Adapting to the new business as usual

Adapting to the new business as usual

Julia Leask describes how you can reinvent your business to adhere to the new normal.
Date – 27 October 2020
Author – Julia Leask
Price – Free
Blog
Working from home

Remote working for SMEs

Remote working for SMEs

Dan Fordham MIStructE provides useful tips for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) forced to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date – 3 April 2020
Author – Dan Fordham MIStructE
Price – 0
Blog
Man in glasses working at laptop

The importance of saying “no” – or “see you soon”

The importance of saying “no” – or “see you soon”

Ken McHale MIStructE, of our Small Practitioners Panel, explains why it’s important that structural engineers, as the guardians of public safety, learn when to say no.

Date – 8 January 2020
Author – Ken McHale MIStructE
Price – 0
Training
Blue abstract blocks

Healthy building design – what can structural engineers do?

Healthy building design – what can structural engineers do?

What does it mean to design a building or structure with health and well-being in mind?
Date – 6 December 2021
Author – Sanja Buncic, Simon Corbey and Nina McCallion
Price – 0

Related resources and events

Course
calculator on top of a balance sheet

Financial fundamentals - December 2027

Financial fundamentals - December 2027

This course provides an overview of accounting principles and an explanation of accounting terminology. It also covers how to understand key financial documents.
Date – 1 December 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £350 - £515 + VAT
Course
A piling works construction site.

Ground investigation and outline foundation design - November 2027

Ground investigation and outline foundation design - November 2027

This half-day in-person course provides guidance to early career structural engineers to develop a better understanding of geotechnical engineering and use that knowledge to enhance and promote sustainable design.
Date – 17 November 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS and online
Price – £235 - £360 + VAT
Course
Staircase leading down past a tall, cascading green living wall on a modern building overlooking a cityscape at sunset.

Working with clients towards net-zero design - November 2027

Working with clients towards net-zero design - November 2027

This course helps designers and engineers influence projects towards lower-carbon outcomes.
Date – 4 November 2027
Location – Online
Price – £565 - £835 + VAT
Course
A black-and-white architectural sketch shows a high-angle, worm's-eye view looking up at several towering skyscrapers.

Conceptual design for structural engineers: an introduction - November 2027

Conceptual design for structural engineers: an introduction - November 2027

Through a series of interactive online sessions supported by individual study, this popular course provides a theoretical framework for understanding conceptual design in the context of structural engineering.
Date – 4 November 2027
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
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Expert Witness: going into court - October 2027

Expert Witness: going into court - October 2027

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and experience of courtroom proceedings. Attendees undergo cross-examination by a practising barrister in a protected environment to improve techniques and increase confidence when called to give evidence.
Date – 27 October 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £455 + VAT
Course
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Practical law: dealing with domestic clients - October 2027

Practical law: dealing with domestic clients - October 2027

This half-day course aims to equip attendees with a comprehensive understanding of specific contractual and legal challenges they may encounter.
Date – 20 October 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £255 - £380 + VAT
Course
Firefighters saving a fire.

Structural fire engineering - October 2027

Structural fire engineering - October 2027

This course is designed to provide structural engineers with a greater understanding of fire safety, key legislation, and the principles of risk analysis in order to ensure that adequate structural performance in fire is achieved.
Date – 13 October 2027
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £330 - £485 + VAT
Course
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Steel essentials: practical design of structural steelwork - September 2027

Steel essentials: practical design of structural steelwork - September 2027

This course presents practical guidance on key aspects of preliminary scheme development and detailed scheme design in structural steelwork.
Date – 23 September 2027
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
A construction site with foundations and piling and builders working on the site with safety helmet.

Eurocode 7: foundation design for small practitioners - September 2027

Eurocode 7: foundation design for small practitioners - September 2027

This course covers aspects of the geotechnical and structural design of spread and piled foundations. It is tailored for engineers working in small practices.
Date – 14 September 2027
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT

Explore our training, events and resources to support you throughout your career and membership journey.