Executive Board Report 2018/19

IBP’s 50th anniversary brings an opportunity both to reflect and to cast our minds forwards to the future.

The organisation’s beginnings date back to the meeting of a handful of construction industry journalists in a Rotterdam pub in 1969. Their common aim was to seek and provide “mutual friendship, help and information”. Five decades on, the core purpose of IBP remains unchanged.

Now, as then, the specialist media has a crucial role in informing, scrutinising and holding decision-makers to account. Now, as then, our members possess unique insight based on unrivalled knowledge.

The built environment is a bricks and mortar industry of huge significance to the economy. It is also socially and politically pivotal. During the past year, IBP members have continued their proud tradition of informing public discourse on topics as varied as prime ministerial hopeful Boris Johnson’s ill-fated £53m garden bridge, to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the collapse of Carillion, and HS2.

IBP continues to support members, bringing together journalists and communications professionals from the construction, design, property and housing sectors. We recognise and celebrate excellence. We promote common interests and learning.

In 2018, the Communication and PR Awards once again celebrated the talent, knowledge and dedication of members. From London Communication Agency’s highly creative Slideatron project, which involved erecting a giant Christmas-themed slide at Wembley Park, to Liz Male’s diversity campaign at Mipim, winning entries were varied and impressive. FTI’s Ellie Perham-Marchant wowed the judges with the range, impact and passion of her work to take home the Young Communicator of the Year award.

The 45th IBP Journalism Awards opened with an address from ACE chief executive Hannah Vickers, who provided a fascinating insight into her journey crossing over from HM Treasury. The awards were once again judged by a respected expert judging panel, and highlighted the quality and value of committed, long-term investigative journalism. The national and regional media were strongly represented, alongside the built environment B2B titles.

IBP’s anniversary year kicked off with ‘Build on 50’, a series of events and activities to prompt debate about the future of the built environment media. The programme got off to a strong start with a re-launched IBP Futures Group series. Over 80 members gathered to take part in the “Investigative Impact: making investigative journalism go further and faster” and hear from two Orwell Prize shortlisted reporters: Madison Marriage, whose undercover investigation blew open the Presidents Club scandal and Jane Bradley, whose ‘From Russia with Love’ series shone a light on murders on British soil.

In the next session, Richard Fletcher, Business Editor, The Times joined a panel of young journalists and an audience of communicators to discuss the challenges we all face in engaging with Gen Z.

It is a great honour, as 15th IBP president, to have the opportunity to look back at past achievements and contribute towards shaping the organisation for the future. IBP is run for and by its members, and your involvement and input will underpin our work in the coming years. I urge all members to think about what you would like to see from IBP and get involved in creating that future.

I warmly thank all board members – past and present – for generously giving their time and expertise at meetings and working groups. On behalf of members, I thank Gerald Bowey for his commitment, service and direction over the years.

I look forward to continuing to work with members as we Build on 50.

Emma Maier
President, IBP
Portfolio director, Inside Housing, Ocean Media