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Chris Keast

Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Staff Group(s)
Property Management and Development

Role

Chris Keast, C.Build E, FCIOB, FCABE, MInstLM, MICOMOS, FHEA, is the Postgraduate and Degree Apprenticeship Programmes Manager and Course Leader MSc Building Surveying in Property Management and Development (PMD). This role includes the strategic and operational leadership of the postgraduate suite of programmes and degree apprenticeships offered within the PMD department. These courses cover the disciplines of Building Surveying, Real Estate, Property Development and Planning and International Real Estate Investment and finance.

Being a qualified Chartered Building Engineer and Chartered Construction Manager Chris delivers a range of teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, retrofit and energy conservation, laser scanning and use of emerging digital technologies.

Chris was appointed to USET, University Shadow Executive Team, in 2021 which provides specialist EDI input to the University Executive and Vice Chancellor on matters of strategic policy and direction. He was also a founder member and past chair of the NTU Disabled Employees’ Network, DEN and is an LGBTQ+ Ally.  He also sits a member of the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) quality committee and is one of the team working on the 2021 Athena Swan submission. Chris is also a member of both the ADBE Course Development and Review Subcommittee and School Learning and Teaching Committee.

Chris is a strong supporter of the value of professional bodies and works with both the Chartered Institue of Building (CIOB) and Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) at local, national and international levels. He is immediate past chair of the CIOB regional committee in Nottingham and has served since 2006, he also established and Chairs of the EDI Advisory Panel for the CIOB. He is also a past member of the CIOB Education, Qualification, Standards Practice Board. Chris is an assessor for CABE in respect of candidates applying for membership of the Engineering Council and also sits on the Professional Interview for candidates applying for chartered membership.

For a number of years, Chris has been one of the Judges for the Inspire Awards, which celebrate all aspects of diversity in Construction and Housing.

Career overview

Chris worked for British Coal, and in Local Government for sixteen years as Surveyor before moving into teaching in 2002. His teaching career started at Leicester College where he was appointed Course Leader for Construction and Civil Engineering, overseeing one of the largest HNC Construction courses in the country. He moved to NTU in early 2006 taking up the position of Senior Lecturer in Building Surveying, taking up a range of roles including First year Course Tutor, Course Leader for both BSc and MSc Building Surveying, PMD Teaching and Learning Representative and Equality Committee Representative. In 2020 Chris was appointed as Principal Lecturer in Property Management and Development, having direct responsibility for postgraduate programmes and degree apprenticeships. Chris is the University contact for the Chartered Association of Building Engineers and led the successful accreditation of courses across ADBE, also managing the accreditation by CIOB of courses in PMD.

External activity

  • CIOB – Nottingham Hub member and immediate past chair
  • CIOB – Chair EDI Advisory Panel
  • CABE – Member of Professional Interview panel
  • CABE – Member of assessment panel for Engineering Council membership
  • Nottingham Society of Engineers – Committee Member
  • Equals Trust – Director
  • Acorn Federation – Chair of Governing Board
  • Nottinghamshire County Scout Council - Rushcliffe District Scout Council Representative
  • Rushcliffe District Scout Council – Trustee
  • Cropwell Bishop Scout Group – Group Scout Leader and Trustee
  • NTU UCU Branch Chair

Sponsors and collaborators

Chris works with a range of UK Tier 1 Construction Companies, education and third sector partners including, Historic England, MEPA, Barratt Homes, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Homes, Nottingham Castle Trust, The Scout Association, Ironbridge Gorge Museums and Redhill Academy. He also works closely with a number of professional bodies  CIOB, CABE and ICOMOS, in ensuring that students are able to enter the professions equipped to work in an internationally dynamic and diverse market.