AIRTO member The Building Research Establishment (BRE) – the leading building science centre – has appointed Ian Shapiro as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He is expected to take up the post in September 2025 and replace Gillian Charlesworth who is retiring from full-time work after six years as CEO.
Ian joins BRE after seven years as CEO of Reall, a non-profit organisation that invests in and develops sustainable, affordable housing solutions in urban Africa and Asia. A leader in the built environment, Ian is on the advisory committee for the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Director for UN Habitat, and is a non-executive director at WHG, a housing association providing affordable homes for rent, shared ownership and sale in the Midlands.
Ian has held leadership positions at Crown Agents and the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and has worked in countries across Africa and Asia. He lives in London with his wife, two children and their dog.
