EXECUTIVE BOARD’S REPORT – 2006

Extracts of the report presented by Gerald Bowey, CEO, ibp Services, on behalf of the executive board, at the AGM (20 July 2006).

Three year’s ago I outlined an ambitious programme to help build the ibp brand and position the organisation as a point of excellence in our industry sector. I also expressed the hope that we would create opportunities to work with other bodies and events with the view to adding new dimensions to membership benefits.

I would like to illustrate some of those initiatives.

Last year we held our ‘Question Time’ at the House of Commons in association with the All Party Built Environment Group with a high powered panel of editor’s and experts locking horns in a ground breaking debate on ‘transport in crisis.’ Discussions are underway to possibly follow that up with a debate with the City of London.

In 2006 we launched our inaugural north west Regional Journalism Awards scheme in Manchester which was judged a resounding success by participants and sponsors alike. The 2007 awards are due to be presented (again in Manchester) on 05 October.

Our National Journalism Awards go from strength to strenght with entries up on the previous year and a capacity audience with the chairman of Cannel 4 Television Corporation, Luke Johnson, presenting the Awards. November 23 is the date set for this year’s Awards dinner at the Four Seasons hotel in Park Lane.

In March this year I held talks with Reed Midem to develop the concept of an International Journalist of the Year Award that would be run and presented in association with MIPIM. Subsequently I have had further discussions with Thierry Renault, deputy managing director of Reed Midem, to develop a theme and structure for this Award at MIPIM 2007.

While the emphasis of ibp is for Award schemes for journalists, I make no apology for that, ibp was conceived and continues to function fundamentally as an organisation for journalists.

However, apart from the obvious benefit to us all of rubbing shoulders with journalists’ these ibp initiatives also bring real benefits to corporate affairs and public relations consultant’s members too.

I believe that on the back of the development of the International Journalist of the Year Award ibp will soon be able to offer all members a comprehensive and regularly updated directory of working journalists worldwide. This benefit can only come out of extending the ibp brand and influence.

But we do social events well to. In June we had the annual cricket match at Thames Ditton where the hacks took the annual trophy for the sixth time in eight contests.

This year I was able to present a new award minted in honour of Alan Hughes, affectionately dubbed some years ago by the imp cricketers – ‘the fox’ for the man of the match which was presented to Andy Gelded of Wilmot Dixon for a fine catch.

Our bi-annual ‘Meet the Editors’ forum was run this year in association with the London Architecture Biennale providing a great partnership opportunity and a high calibre event with eight leading editors talking to an audience of nearly seventy communicators. The venue, St Bride’s Church, again emphasized the use of exciting buildings, like the Royal Opera House and Somerset House, the scene of recent ibp events.

The Summer Dinner, also a fringe event this year to the Biennale, did not disappoint with the backdrop of the Building Design Partnership’s studio and plaza and a very focused talk by David parsley, ibp Award winning journalist and founder editor of City A.M. on the merits of launching a new morning newspaper in a world dominated by the electronic highway.

The Summer Dinner also provided a wonderful environment in which to present the winners of the third annual Magazine of the Year Awards. Kristina Smith, editor of Construction Manager, romped away with the subscription Magazine of the Year while Tarmac World scoped the In House Magazine category for the second year running.

We are also actively seeking partners and putting the ibp brand on other organisations events – where there is a natural empathy – such as ‘The Property Forum’ and the ‘Art and Work Awards’.

But of course none of these initiatives and the continued development of our key events just happen.

We have a hard working and combative executive that proves the well worked cliché – ‘if you want something done find a busy person to do it’.  They are all to be congratulated on the very positive working basis in which they interact at board meetings.

I would make particular thanks to Patrick Gulley, who has stepped down as chairman, for his very creative input in developing the importance of ibp’s brand and position in our sector. He has not just brought an imaginative edge to his chairmanship but a hands on knowledge of what will work.

Our President Aaron Morby continues to be a sounding board and inquisitive seeker of truth – “why are we doing this” and “will it add anything to ibp” is his clarion response to some of the ‘early day’ ideas that get discussed at board meetings. But once he is satisfied that it will reflect an aspect of our industry well then he will adopt it and staunchly support it – usually saying it was his idea all along!

Vice President Clive Branson is invaluable with his advice, wisdom and knowledge of our industry – he brings a whirlwind of enthusiasm which a younger man would find hard to keep up with.

I cannot conclude this report without a big nod of appreciation for the late Alan Hughes who brought his considerable skills to producing regular hard copy updates. He is already sadly missed.

David Helsen continues to pull, almost effortlessly but of course with a great deal of hard work and pre planning, the annual cricket match together and provides one of the high points of the year – when hack’s and pr’s forget their differences and play to win!

I hope that by highlighting these few examples that I have given the reader some idea of the hard work and dedication that the whole executive board gives to creating – “more than just a network”.

I would also like to draw the reader’s attention to the two abiding questions that the board talks about: recruitment and the support of ibp events.

No organisation can expect to survive without a continued input of young people. All ibp members have the opportunity to act as ambassadors’ for ibp. Don’t make it the industries best kept secret – share its worth and help to grow its value.

Supporting events is the most positive thing any member can do which helps to ensure a future for ibp. But you can also come up with ideas. If you experience that eureka moment share it with any one of the board members of your choice.

I look forward to seeing you soon at an ibp event.