Professor Gormley is Professor of Public Health and Environmental Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. A Chartered Engineer with 40 years’ experience spanning professional practice and academia, he works at the intersection of engineering, healthcare, architecture and public policy, with a particular focus on improving patient safety through better building design.
His research explores how water, wastewater and building engineering systems can influence the transmission and control of pathogens, particularly in healthcare environments. Most recently, he led the development and authored the first dedicated guidance for the design of drainage systems in tall and supertall buildings, published by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in 2025. The guidance is gaining international recognition as an important reference for safer drainage system design.
He has advised NHS England’s New Hospitals Programme on water and wastewater system design and has undertaken research for NHS Scotland Assure to inform practical guidance on engineering systems and infection prevention. His wider contributions include specialist expertise to the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) programme and UK Government scientific advisory activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Gormley said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Built Environment Infection Prevention Initiative. The buildings we design, construct and maintain today will influence patient safety for decades to come. Infection prevention must therefore be considered a fundamental part of building design and operation, rather than something addressed retrospectively.
“BEIPI brings together expertise from across engineering, architecture, microbiology, clinical practice and infection prevention, and I look forward to working with colleagues from these disciplines to strengthen the evidence base, influence policy and standards, and help deliver safer healthcare environments for patients and staff.”
As Chair, Professor Gormley will provide strategic leadership for BEIPI, supporting its work to embed infection prevention principles throughout the planning, design, construction and operation of healthcare buildings. He will also champion multidisciplinary collaboration, education and professional development, and work with partners across the healthcare and built environment sectors to advance best practice and support safer healthcare environments.
We thank our outgoing Chair, Ron Finlay, for his exceptional leadership and commitment to BEIPI, and look forward to working with Professor Michael Gormley as he leads the initiative into its next chapter.