AFBE Member Awards

And the AFBE-UK 2022 Awards Go to…

Jonathan Fashanu (Team and Leader of the Year)

Toyin Fatokun (Member of the Year)

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE on the awardees:

Jonathan Fashanu

In 2022, AFBE-UK the Industry Events team really took their work to a new level focusing on inclusion and touching on subjects we had never done. While events like “Tips for successful project management and the roundtable on Small Practices in the Climate Emergency and even the D&I Talk at Black History were engaging events, i think the talk on Neurodiversity really resonated powerfully with everyone in attendance and showcased the progress made by the Industry events team under their leader, Jonathan Fashanu. It is for this reason that I believe Jonathan Fashanu and his team deserve our congratulations as the Team and leader of the Year 2022. Many Congratulations to Jonathan and team!

Toyin Fatokun

A key part of AFBE-UK’s mission is the preparation for industry i.e. the ``being in the room before one gets in the room”. While a programme like Transition focuses on the skills required to secure a job, our Real Projects series goes one step further and seeks to understand what engineering projects actually entail. In2022,wesawaconsistentstreamofhighlyinterestingtalkson topics ranging from the Energy Transition, candid discussions on the future of hydrogen as fuel source, psychological safety to Grenfell Disaster Preventive Measures (on our first in-person real projects event since February 2020). The talks were often inspiring and the discussions that followed were very engaging, all consistently led by Toyin Fatokun. It is for this that I believe Toyin (who is AFBE-UK ‘s sustainability officer) deserves recognition as the member of the year 2022. Thanks Toyin for your consistency.

Toyin Fatokun

Background, education, career

I was born and raised in Nigeria to a family of accountants and economists. Growing up, I was that child who would turn off the lights or separate the waste etc and despite being encouraged to study economics at undergraduate level, my passion for the environment led me to relocate to the UK to further my studies. I gained an MSc in energy, environmental technology and economics with distinction from the City University London. Since, graduation, my career has been fuelled by my passion for the environment around us as well as understanding the importance of protecting our planet and seeking new ways to generate energy that will not have a detrimental effect on the climate. I worked in renewable energy consultancies where I had the privilege to be involved in developing some of the first wind and wave energy technologies while working on projects both in West Africa and the UK. I transitioned to the public sector in 2014 mainly working with local authorities to deliver challenging policies, plans and programmes that achieve a net zero vision. In my spare time, I volunteer as a mental health first aider and lead the Real Project’s programme for AFBE Scotland.

Why did you join the AFBE-UK?

I joined AFBE in January 2021 after following AFBE for a few years. I was intrigued by the programmes, especially how AFBE tirelessly ensures that black and global ethnic majorities are mentored to reach their full potential within their chosen industry.

What lessons have you learnt in your career?

Working in the climate change space, I keep learning how varying our behaviours help to understand the impact we have on the environment around us. Human beings are creatures of habit and to tackle the wider issues of climate change we need to start to understand how people interact with the environment around them.

Tell us more about project you’ve worked on your job?

I am currently working on a project titled “ Our Sustainable Futures Forum”.to help the district I work with to work towards achieving net zero emissions. This project was conceived in collaboration with key stakeholders including businesses, community groups, voluntary organisations, special interest groups and most importantly the people local to the district. For the first time ever, we are working in partnership to highlight the various environmental and social projects/initiatives going on, identify the gaps and hopefully work together to build a district we and future generations will be proud of.

What do you like most about being a member of AFBE-UK?

It gives me an opportunity to give back in my own little way and to be part of the narrative of those making a meaningful difference in our world today.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the Industry?

Let your focus be on adding positive value and learn to be versatile in this ever-changing world.

Jonathan Fashanu

Background, education, career

Born to Nigerian and Singaporean parents, I spent my early years and primary education in Nigeria before returning to Singapore for secondary school and military service. I received a diploma in Multimedia Software Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic and spent 5 years in the Guards and Commando battalions of the Singapore Army. In service, I passed the 33rd

Rangers Course and Special Forces Selection Course, and won multiple awards for leadership. After my time in the Army, I gained admission into Newcastle University to study BEng Civil and Structural Engineering and received the ICE’s Patrick Parson’s Prize on graduation. Following that, I was accepted by the University of Edinburgh to study Structural Engineering and Mechanics and graduated with a distinction. I spent the next couple of years working for an international consultancy carrying out projects in Nigeria, Singapore, Germany and the United Kingdom. My project portfolio includes office blocks, indoor stadiums, cement plants, modular oil refineries, banks, residential apartments, shopping centres and multi-use spaces.

I relocated to London in 2016 and set up my engineering and project management consultancy, JF Project Consulting, which focused on managing complex basement projects and large extensions in the residential and commercial sectors. In 2019, I started Studio Dash, which brought architecture and sustainability into the practice. Studio Dash has over 200 projects under its belt, with a number of them designed with passive house principles. I am a chartered civil engineer, project manager and a certified passive house designer. I also encourage future architects to embrace holistic and regenerative design at the Architectural Association and teach modules on sustainable structural design. I am a mentor for the Institution of Civil Engineers and for Engineers Without Borders. Engineers Without Borders have recently named me an Inspiring Changemaker for my passion for getting their university students to think holistically.

Why did you join the AFBE-UK?

I joined the AfBE-UK as I was looking for a professional support network for minority ethnic colleagues. It was there that I heard of an opportunity to volunteer and join the board. I met Samuel Elegbede who lead the Industry events team and he was really inspiring in letting me know I could have a larger impact pushing for diversity than just being a member. So I jumped into the Industry events team and the rest is history.

What have you enjoyed most about being part of AFBE-UK?

What I love most is being around people who I feel connected to. I am around people who recognise that inclusion matters, are true professionals and love rice and stew!

What lessons have you learnt in your career?

One of the key lessons that I keep learning is the importance of collaboration within the various disciplines. There is so much you can learn from including different viewpoints and ways of thinking, very much like having different diverse individuals. Because I’ve been fortunate to live and work in different places, I understand why it’s important to have those voices present and to develop a sense of global empathy.

Tell us more about project you’ve worked on your job?

I’m currently working with a church in Surrey to help them understand and optimise their thermal requirements. We have set up some thermal monitors and have been taking temperature and humidity readings all throughout Christmas. It is part of an initiative with the Royal Academy of Engineering. This has not only engaged my interests in architecture, engineering and building physics, but as the budget is limited, I am learning that sometimes it is more cost-effective to move people to certain parts of the room than to improve the fabric of the building. I’ll keep you posted when I learn more!

What do you like most about being a member of AFBE-UK?

It gives me a space to engage in discussions that I enjoy and helps me shape the dialogue that the industry should be having.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the Industry?

Find a way to bring what you love into what you have to do. Passion is the fuel for staying content.