Executive Board Report 2015/16
IBP has had a successful 2015/16, making a number of positive changes and improvements, welcoming new members to the board and beyond, and beginning to discuss in advance further changes we will need to consider in 2016/17.
Events:
The IBP Communication Awards continue to grow in size and reputation, with more entries to the 2016 awards than ever, and a palpable desire among entrants to win. Priorities for these awards in 2017 will be to continue their growth, especially among less well-represented parts of the built environment.
The IBP Journalism Awards saw many worthy (and very happy) winners and received some great feedback. Peter Murray’s impersonation of Peter Rees gave everyone an Awards night to remember. A thoroughly enjoyable night was had by all. The 2015 judging panel contained six new judges, and another six have agreed to judge the 2016 awards, including some high-profile journalists.
The 2015 Strategic Land Debate worked well, but the partnership with Hogan Lovells has come to an end, meaning the future of the event is up for discussion. A debate, in early July, in conjunction with the CIOB was postponed but plans are in hand to hold an industry debate in the autumn.
Technology:
In 2015 IBP made a substantial investment in a new website to improve members’ access to information and to make it a better ‘shop window’ for the organisation to potential members.
The new website also enabled the entries for the Journalism Awards to be submitted and all entries (the long list) to be judged online for the first time, aided by the valuable experience of the online Communication and PR Awards from 2013 onwards.
The final ‘live’ judging session still takes place at The Building Centre to enable debate and discussion of the entries among the judges.
Futures group:
As the IBP board evolves, we always seek and welcome new ideas. Nick Duxbury, Executive Editor of Inside Housing, took over as Chairman of the Futures Group and has established a valuable working relationship with the department of journalism at City University, creating a broad appeal to graduate and established journalists and PR professionals. The focus of the Futures Group continues to be on digital platforms and the delivery of content to the built environment, using national news vehicles and other sectors experience to illustrate market trends and deliverables. He has organised and delivered two valuable, interesting and well-attended events and we look forward to the next event in the autumn and more in 2017. More/…
I thank all the board members for their valuable time, generously given to attend meetings, discuss policy and support the events programme.
I also thank members for entering the Journalism and Communication Award schemes and for attending events;
IBP is your organisation and we very much welcome suggestions, and working with all members. Please feel free to contact Gerald Bowey with any ideas you may have or wish to explore.
Rebecca Evans, President
Editor, Construction News
