Lumbel supports CIOB learner challenge for 2026

Lumybel sponsored and supported the CIOB student challenge, hosted at Nottingham Trent University on Tuesday 27th January 2026. 

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Student Challenge, organised by CIOB, saw 18 teams of students from across the country gather to compete in a skills and presentation challenge, tackling the theme of the Glocal Housing Crisis and drawing from the CIOS strategy for the next two years. 

Students travelled to Nottingham Trent University to prepare their presentations for judging panels curated from across the industry. Following a morning of research and building, each team presented their strategies and findings back throughout the afternoon, accompanied by real-life questions and deep dives from their judges in each room. 

Judges deliberated and awarded teams for their efforts, culminating in an awards ceremony hosted in the lecture hall. 

Throughout the day, students got to experience real-world problems and integrate practical solutions, with budgets and considerations for both people and planet, aligning with the SDGs and a call out for what communities really need from affordable housing. 

“This inaugural challenge has already demonstrated the powerful impact of bringing students and industry together. The quality of thinking, teamwork and enthusiasm we saw today reinforces exactly why these opportunities matter.  Without the support from NTU, the attending universities, our amazing judges and fantastic sponsors - Lumybel, Colemans, Willmott Dixon and Bowmer & Kirkland - events like this would not take place”

Susie Kearns - Member Services and Events Coordinator - CIOB

From presentation techniques to curating strategies that tick boxes for both budget and purpose, students got to hone existing skills and gain new ones with feedback and advice from industry leaders and professionals sitting on the judging panel to support the leaders of tomorrow. 

“It was a fantastic event to be a part of and to support the work of the CIOB once again. There was a real buzz in the atmosphere throughout the day, and it is great for students to get out of the classroom and into spaces that support the real-wrold environment. For us, it’s brilliant to see what the next generation are doing and how we can continue to support them in their careers”

Paul Gauaghan - Founder and Director - Lumybel