Celebrating five decades of chemical plant commissioning training at Leeds
Leeds’ Chemical Plant Commissioning short course is celebrating its golden anniversary, reflecting five decades of industry-facing training for engineers and plant professionals.
First developed in the 1970s, the course was the idea of Professor George Sachs, formerly of ICI, and is an IChemE-approved programme. It has since been shaped by a small group of long-standing academic and industrial leads, including Dr Peter Snowdon, who directed the course for much of its modern history.
As a CPD activity within the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, the programme is led by current course director Professor Mike Fairweather, who has overseen it since 1999. He is supported by Dr Martin Pitt, who has been associated with the course since 1988, and Professor Paul Lunt, who brings extensive industrial experience in commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness across global projects.
Professor Mike Fairweather, Professor Paul Lunt, and Dr Martin Pitt.
Around 2,000 professionals have attended the course to date, with around 50 delegates each year. The programme continues to evolve in response to industry needs, balancing established commissioning principles with emerging operational challenges.
Delivered over three days, each course focuses on the transition from construction to stable operation of chemical process plants. It is designed for process and project engineers, commissioning specialists, and plant managers working across chemical, petrochemical, and related sectors.
Learning combines presentations, tutorials and case-based learning, covering areas such as pre-commissioning activities, start-up planning, risk-based approaches, control systems, and regulatory considerations. The material is designed to be applicable across a wide range of industrial contexts and is supported by detailed course notes for long-term reference.
Industry engagement has remained central to its longevity, with most sessions delivered by practicing engineers and consultants. This approach has helped maintain relevance across changing industrial standards and practices, while allowing the programme to adapt through participant feedback over time.
The 50th anniversary edition, running from 1–3 July, will include additional opportunities to reflect on developments in commissioning practice over the past five decades, alongside consideration of the sector's future directions. Alongside the core programme, anniversary events include a dinner at Harvey Nichols in Leeds city centre on 1 July, followed by a BBQ-style evening reception at Weetwood Hall Hotel on 2 July.
