Category: NEWS

Adrian Barrick, Editorial Consultant, former editor, Building

Giles Barrie, Managing Director, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting, former editor Property Week

Peter Bill, Freelance Journalist, former editor Building and Estates Gazette

Denise Chevin, freelance editor and journalist, former editor Building

Mark Collins, Executive Director, CBRE

Tim Danton, Director, Danton Media, Consultant to Dennis Publishing

Peter Day, Correspondent, BBC ‘In Business’ programme

Catherine Edmunds, Strategic Events and Content, AVEVA

Rebecca Evans, Director of Content, DeHavilland, former editor Construction News

Soraya Khan, Partner, Theis and Khan Architects

Mike Leonard, CEO, Building Alliance

Toby Lewis, CEO, Live Group

Dominic Morgan, Director, Ing media, former deputy editor, Property Week

Richard Northedge, City & Business Journalist

Andrew Pring, writer, editor, communications consultant, former editor Contract Journal

Alasdair Reisner, CEO, CECA, former journalist on Construction News

Peter Roper, Freelance Journalist, former editor New Builder

Dickon Ross, Editor-in-Chief, Engineering & Technology

Barbara Rowlands, Associate Professor of Journalism, London City University

David Saffin, CEO, Second Opinion Alliance

John Slaughter, Director, External Affairs, Home Builders Federation

Ruth Slavid, Architecture Editor & Journalist, former editor AJ Online

Caroline Thorpe, Freelance Journalist

Jenny Watt, Marketing Manager, The Built Environment Trust

James Whitmore, Tavistock, former City Editor, Property Week

John Yadoo, Partner, Pryme Consulting

Details correct May 2020

IBP JOURNALISM AWARDS 2018 – JUDGES

Claer Barratt, Personal Finance Editor, Financial Times

Adrian Barrick, Editorial Consultant, former editor, Building

Giles Barrie, Managing Director, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting, former editor Property Week

Peter Bill, Freelance Journalist, former editor Building and Estates Gazette

Mark Collins, Executive Director, CBRE

Tim Danton, Director, Danton Media, Consultant to Dennis Publishing

Peter Day, Correspondent, BBC ‘In Business’ programme

George Demetri, Editor, Designing Buildings Wiki

Catherine Edmunds, Strategic Events & Content Director, AVEVA

Rebecca Evans, Director of Content, DeHavilland, former editor Construction News

Soraya Khan, Partner, Theis and Khan Architects

Mike Leonard, CEO, Building Alliance

Toby Lewis, CEO, Live Group

Dominic Morgan, Director, Ing media, former deputy editor, Property Week

Richard Northedge, City & Business Journalist

Andrew Pring, writer, editor, communications consultant, former editor Contract Journal

Alasdair Reisner, CEO, CECA, former journalist on Construction News

Peter Roper, Freelance Journalist, former editor New Builder

Dickon Ross, Editor-in-Chief, Engineering & Technology

Barbara Rowlands, Associate Professor of Journalism, London City University

David Saffin, CEO, Second Opinion Alliance

John Slaughter, Director, External Affairs, Home Builders Federation

Ruth Slavid, Architecture Editor & Journalist, former editor AJ Online

Caroline Thorpe, Freelance Journalist

Jenny Watt, Marketing Manager, The Built Environment Trust

James Whitmore, Tavistock, former City Editor, Property Week

John Yadoo, Partner, Pryme Consulting

This list is comprehensive and correct at the time of posting

Details Correct: July 2019

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

The past year has thrust construction and housing into the public consciousness like never before, following the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. From design, engineering, build quality, and health and safety, to building control, resident engagement and housing management, the disaster has touched all parts of the built environment sector.Specialist journalism has played a pivotal role in investigating the tragedy, exploring the implications for readers and in scrutinising and holding those involved to account.

Meanwhile, the #MeToo movement and the FT’s President’s Club investigation have given cause to examine the sectors we write about and the media industry itself. Publications and communication professionals have been looking in the mirror and considering what action they can take to stamp out sexism and promote inclusivity.

Against this backdrop of challenge, change and readjustment, IBP has continued to bring people across the built environment together, to support networks, support careers and promote debate about the future.

The IBP Communication and PR Awards continued to flourish, highlighting outstanding campaigns, teams and individuals. Over eighty editors, journalists, communication professionals and guests gathered to celebrate the winners and listen to Young Journalist of the Year Katherine Smale, as she developed her opening remarks on “Engineering a career change” – from trainee engineer to award winning young journalist on New Civil Engineer. Young Communicator of the Year (2017) Declan Bennet with the London Communications Agency particularly wowed the judges, as did Goodfellow Communications, who took the Best PR Consultancy Team awards after demonstrating remarkable growth.

The IBP Journalism Awards opened with a sobering, moment-in-time speech from Telegraph Group executive director and Conservative Peer Lord Black. The former Press Complaints Commission director spoke from the heart about the importance of press freedom and the threats, costs and opportunities ahead. The awards were once again judged by 28 respected expert judges, and highlighted the quality and value of committed, long-term investigative journalism, that is well represented in the built environment B2B titles and ‘embraced’ by the National media.

Looking forward, the Futures Group is planning to approach all members with a two-minute survey of what topics they want to see covered by future sessions. Still very much on the agenda is a searching session looking at the #MeToo movement, asking how trade publications can balance scrutiny with supporting their readers and the role of communicators in championing positive change. Past sessions have featured leading speakers from the FT, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal and others for the benefit of members.

IBP remains committed to bringing people together to share ideas and create outstanding content. The board is exploring the exciting possibilities for the future, including reaching out to built environment specialist writers in the national and regional media through our association with News Media UK and the Society of Editors, and continuing to evolve our events.

We always want to hear from members about what they find valuable and what they would like IBP to provide, so please keep an eye out for the Futures Group survey, due shortly.

I thank warmly all board members for giving their valuable time to attend meetings and discuss the IBP’s present activities and future direction.

I also thank members for entering the IBP Journalism Awards and the Communication and PR Awards and our sponsors and partners. I look forward to seeing you at our next events.

Emma Maier
President
Editor-in-chief, Inside Housing

Alex Catto, an appreciation

by Graham Ridout, former investigative journalist on Contract Journal and Building magazine

Alex Catto, a long-standing editor of Contract Journal and one of the most influential journalists of the 1980s was laid to rest on 8 May, aged 78. He presided over Contract Journal during the halcyon days of construction and property journalism when eight weekly news titles vied competitively against one another and a further 20 or so monthly and less frequent titles doing battle for readers and advertisers.

Both Alex’s father and grandfather were journalists and he followed in their footsteps and was fiercely protective over maintaining editorial and ethical standards. Of Highland stock, his height and girth made him a formidable figure. This coupled with a perceptive grasp of detail and, at times, a caustic way of expressing an opinion if he thought somebody was being economical with the truth.

As an editor, he was steadfastly loyal and highly supportive of his staff. And at the end of the day, he enjoyed nothing more than having a drink with colleagues and chatting about all things under the sun, but especially his beloved Crystal Palace football club.

During his tenure, CJ pioneered a series of tests during which major manufacturers’ earthmoving machines were pitched against one-another in various performance tests. At the time, it was a risky strategy as the manufacturers were major advertisers and a poor showing could be costly in advertising revenue to the journal. However, Alex’s dedication to accurate, objective reporting ensured no manufacturer had grounds for complaint.

Honorary IBP Vice President Peter Bill (President 1992-96 and 1998-2000) entered journalism under Alex’s reign at CJ. He recalls: “I can see him now at his desk half hidden behind toppling stacks of paper. Sat there like a benign owl, dispensing wisecracks, anecdotes and occasional shafts of wisdom. He enjoyed holding court at news meetings. He radiated bonhomie, but was capable of withering sarcasm, but delivered from a good heart.” After leaving CJ, Alex settled in Hastings with wife Shona and pursued a freelance career editing several environmental magazines.

Contract Journal ‘s proud 130-year history ended in 2009 when publisher Reed Business Press closed the magazine. The economic fall-out of 2008 and a seismic shift in the way projects were procured proved fatal. CJ made its name by employing a handful of dedicated employees whose job was to garner information about the major contracts that were about to be let or had recently been awarded. This provided valuable information to suppliers and subcontractors about possible work opportunities. European Union legislation requiring contacts over a specified value to be advertised the European Journal, the entry of a number of specialised information providers, and growing power of the internet provided the coup de gras.

In a year in which the UK has faced unprecedented political turmoil and considerable uncertainty, the role of journalism has arguably been even more important than usual.

For the specialist press covering the built environment, this has heightened the need to help readers navigate the shifting political sands and business consequences. PR and communications professionals in the field have needed strong networks, relationships and adaptability.

In this context, the IBP’s role in bringing people together, fostering members’ careers and facilitating debate are of great value.

The past 12 months saw the most successful IBP PR and Communication Awards – the largest to date, and with an inspiring set of winners. Sophie Walker, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, spoke passionately about the need for greater equality and called on journalists and PR professionals to do more to raise its importance.

The IBP Journalism Awards, too, highlighted the best of the sector, as judged by a panel of highly respected journalists and industry experts. With a second-time lucky speech from former City planner Peter Rees Wynne (after he didn’t make it the previous year), the awards were an excellent way to finish the year.

The Futures Group, which puts on forward-looking events for IBP members to network and discuss the future of journalism and communications, was rebooted this year. The programme included a fascinating debate on political reporting in the age of ‘fake news’ featuring leading journalists from the FT and Buzzfeed UK, a valuable behind-the-scenes look at digital journalism at the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal and an excellent panel on investigative journalism.

As the economic and political uncertainty continues, the IBP strives to put on events that members will find beneficial and bring people together to debate and share ideas. We always want to hear from members about what they would like IBP to provide.

I thank warmly all board members for giving their valuable time to attend meetings and discuss the IBP’s present activities and future direction.

I also thank members for entering the IBP Journalism Awards and the PR and Communication Awards and look forward to seeing you at our next events.

IBP runs a pro-active and re-active programme of events; therefore, the programme listed below only includes planned events. A number of other events are promoted as and when a subject or industry issues needs to be aired.

THURSDAY 28 April

TALKING DIGITAL WITH THE GUARDIAN and the WALL STREET JOURNAL

IBP Futures Group

Chaired by: Nick Duxbury, Executive Editor, Inside Housing

Hosted by: Edelman

Time/Venue: 6.30pm: Southside, 103 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QT

Speakers:

Martin Belam, Social and New Formats Editor, The Guardian

Sarah Marshall, Social Media Editor, The Wall Street Journal

THURSDAY 16 JUNE

COMMUNICATION and PR AWARDS

IBP Summer Party

Venue: St Martin’s Hall and Light Well, St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square

Hosted by: Rebecca Evans, Editor, Construction News, President IBP

Speaker: Sophie Walker, Leader of the UK’s Women’s Equity Party

Programme in development

JULY

IBP Virtual AGM

AUGUST

Call for Entries: IBP Annual Journalism Awards

Awards entries close Friday 9 September

Awards Judging: Monday 10 October

LATE SEPTEMBER

IBP Futures Group

Subject:

Hosted by:

Time/Venue:

In development

THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER

IBP Annual National Journalism Awards Dinner

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane

Guest Speaker & Awards Presented by:

Peter Wynne Rees CBE, Professor of Places and City Planning

UCL Faculty of the Built Environment

Awards Presentations hosted by:

Peter Murray, Chairman, New London Architecture Gallery at The Building Centre

Programme in development

MONDAY12 DECEMBER

Communications Industry Carol Service

Venue: St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4 6.30 to 7.30pm
Reception: All Bar One, Ludgate Hill – 7.30PM onwards