Founding of the SoVT (from left to right): Paul Clements, Paloma Huelva Coronado, Phill Pearson, Nick Mellor, Ruth Carter (CEO der CIBSE / CIBSE CEO), Michael Bottomley (Vorsitzender der SoVT / Chair of SoVT), Vince Arnold (President 2025/26 der CIBSE / CIBSE President 2025/26), Adam Scott (Vorsitzender des SoVT Membership Committee/ Chair of SoVT Membership Committee), Gemma Moore, Chuan Lim (Honorary Secretary der SoVT / SoVT Honorary Secretary), Rory Smith, Dave Cooper (President Elect der CIBSE / CIBSE President Elect), Richard Peters (Honorary Treasurer der SoVT / SoVT Honorary Treasurer) and Richard Goldsbrough (Director of Membership der CIBSE / CIBSE Director of Membership). (Photo: © CIBSE)

CIBSE launches Society of Vertical Transportation

News

December 2025

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has announced the official launch of the Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT).

The SoVT is an international professional community for individuals and organisations working across the design, engineering, installation and innovation of lifts, escalators and emerging vertical mobility systems.

The SoVT builds on the legacy of the CIBSE Lifts Group, which, according to a press release, has supported "technical excellence in vertical transportation for decades". The new society aims to formalise this foundation and offer recognised professional membership, specialist continuing professional development, collaboration and international engagement.

"Our ambition is to become the worldwide hub for vertical transportation technology and education", says Michael Bottomley, Chair of SoVT.

Publication CIBSE Guide D 2025

The launch coincides with the publication of the CIBSE Guide D 2025 – Transportation Systems in Buildings –, which is an internationally recognised reference for vertical transportation professionals. The updated guide covers passenger and goods lifts, escalators, moving walks, lifting platforms, and emerging technologies, offering practical advice on design, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.

The 2025 edition provides guidance on interior circulation, human factors, inclusive design, lift traffic planning, and system performance optimisation. It covers system components, controls, and drive technologies alongside accessibility, inclusivity, energy efficiency, and environmental performance considerations.

According to the press release, the guide aligns with current UK legislation, safety codes, and international best practice.

SoVT and CIBSE

Supporting everyone involved in moving people through buildings, the Society of Vertical Transportation (SoVT) wants to be a hub for advancing knowledge, skills, and innovation in vertical transportation.

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is an international professional body headquartered in London, U.K. It exists to advance global best practice on building services engineering.

By harnessing the expertise of its members, CIBSE represents the profession, providing advice and guidance to the government on matters relating to construction, engineering, and sustainability. Since 1897, CIBSE has supported a community of over 22,000 professionals worldwide.

More informations: cibse.org
cibse.org/get-involved/societies/society-of-vertical-transportation-sovt/