Cardiff businessman awarded Honorary Fellowship

Steve Borley, one of the city’s most successful businessmen, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff Metropolitan University today (Wednesday 26 July).

Group Managing Director of CMB Engineering, the largest independently owned building services company in Wales and one of the top 300 companies in Wales, Steve has over 30 years’ experience of running his own business.

Steve set up CMB in 1992 with just £250 in the bank. The business went on to turnover £5m within its first five years and now employs over 150 people across five offices. It has an estimated turnover of £85m a year.

Commenting on his award, Steve said: “I feel humbled and honoured to be awarded a fellowship at this great institution which actually started me on my journey in the engineering and sporting pathway my life has taken me.”

Steve’s relationship with the Cardiff Metropolitan University began when he attended as a student in 1974. Formerly known as Llandaff College of Technology, Steve studied building services and mechanical engineering courses, achieving distinctions, and was awarded student of the year for five consecutive years.

Born and raised in Cardiff, Steve also has a passion for sport and has been Director of Cardiff City FC, formerly chairman, for over 25 years. He was a guest at the University’s annual Student Union Sports Awards and hopes to develop links with the University to support the growth of sport across the City, especially around the development of Women’s football.

Steve sees the value of apprenticeships through his own experience and the CMB workforce is now made up of over 80% CMB trained engineers and operatives under the company’s train and retain policy.

Steve’s top tip to students graduating would be: “Dare to dream and don’t accept it can’t be done. The only barriers in life are in the mind and never be afraid to question views or information presented to you.”