Alan SmithIncoming Chairman of IBP, Alan Smith, Public Relations Director of HBGUK sets his agenda.
Firstly, I’d like to thank all those confident enough to elect me as the new Chairman of IBP. Secondly, I’d like to thank Patrick Gulley, my predecessor, for all his consistency and efforts over the past years – his will be a very hard act to follow.
I would like to take this opportunity in chairing the IBP Board Meeting for the first time to share with you, very briefly, some of my aspirations for the continued development of IBP with the support of Aaron Morby as President, Gerald Bowey as Chief Executive and all the Executive Board Members.
The over-riding objective, however, is to maintain the existing momentum in building the IBP brand and its services to its members. However, within that context, I believe we have four main tasks or objectives ahead of us…and they are in this order:
Green paper: IBP ‘The Way Forward’
This paper, currently being developed by Gerald, for presentation to the executive board outlines some potential solutions to taking over, gradually, much of the current workload delivered personally by our Chief Executive. Once presented to the board I believe it is imperative that we take some decisions on this as soon as possible, not only to meet that main objective, but to help develop IBP’s events and activities to attract new members as well as improved services to existing members. Indeed, this is essential to the success of the next three points:
International Journalism Award
This initiative, started by Gerald (and endorsed by the Board) at MIPIM last year, has a massive potential to widen the IBP brand and membership as well as membership services. I will give my full support and effort to develop this as a major theme of IBP’s growth in 2007 and beyond.
Construction, property and architecture organisations are, today, largely of a Global scale in terms of operations, supplies or influence. Whether it is Richard Rogers, Skanska, Vinci, Bovis Lend Lease, Gardiner & Theobald or Royal BAM Group, most major UK players are, actually, international operators. Developing IBP’s international credentials can not only further appeal to members but particularly to the construction press – here and internationally.
As well as the linkage with MIPIM/Reed Midem, perhaps we could also develop a relationship with FIEC, the Federation de l’Industrie Europeene de la Construction (European Construction Confederation) in Brussels with a view to sharing their journalists’ database?
Membership
All IBP’s efforts are to deliver relevant services to its members and to further develop new membership. Construction is not an isolated business. It is disparate and it involves a very long, diverse supply chain from client, property developer, architect and planner, through contractor and subcontractor to supplier.
Perhaps we need to try and engage more property development and subcontractor/supplier in-house PR people as well as the wider press: PPPBulletin; Concrete Journal; Sustain magazine; Highways & Tranportation; Martime & Port Construction, etc? And maybe look more closely at the wider industry bodies (like Andy Walker’s ACE participation) including: ICE; CECA; CIOB; MCG; CC; CIBSE; CITB construction skills, etc.?
Corporate Affairs
Given the recent initiative by IBP to engage the All Party Built Environment Group, I believe that we should capitalise on such links to become more proactive in encouraging Corporate Affairs-linked events and membership. The more we develop this side, the more gravitas IBP will develop within the industry at large.
In conclusion
At the end of the day, IBP is about sharing and knowledge and contacts. Therefore our greatest contribution to the membership has to be the ‘Social’ element. I fully endorse the continued emphasis on a regular calendar of social events that have become a hallmark of IBP’s success.
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.
The title of the parliamentary seminar included a strategically placed question mark – ‘Transport in Crisis?’ – but the consensus among the transport experts, politicians and journalists present seemed to be that if transport throughout Britain was not already in crisis then it soon would be if urgent action were not taken.
The seminar, held at the House of Commons, sponsored by the All-Party Parliamentary Built Environment Group and organised by the International Building Press, was attended by a wide range of representatives from local authorities, trade and professional bodies, individual contractors and transport companies, politicians and the construction and transport media.
The morning session, held in Committee Room 10 and chaired by Lord Howie of Troon and Michael Clapham M.P., featured a topquality team of transport experts – David Sterry, Chairman of the Transport Group of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA); Keith Miller, Director of Major Projects for the Highways Agency; Chris Welsh, Head of ampaigns at the Freight Transport Association; Joe Weiss, Strategic Transportation Director at the Corporation of London and Debbie Hewitt, Director at RAC Rescue. The panel of journalists questioning them comprised Paul Finch, Editor, Architectural Review; Aaron Morby, Editor of Construction News; Denise Chevin, Editor of Building and Antony Oliver, Editor of New Civil Engineer, all representing the principal journals reporting on the construction, development and servicing of ransport systems throughout Britain.
Gerald Bowey, Chief Executive Officer of IBP, kicked off the debate when he recalled that a year ago IBP members had been told by the then Transport Minister, Tony McNulty, that it was not a question of whether the key Cross Rail project across London would be built but when and how. Since then no measurable progress had been made and this was indicative of the transport problems facing London.
This opening set the tone for the wide-ranging and lively debate that characterised the morning session. The experts clearly felt that there was a serious lack of long term planning of national and regional transport systems by both central and local government and the key transport agencies; that funding provision was ill directed and targeted; that better management of existing systems was needed including greater use of state of the art technology and that transport policy needed to be ‘de-politicised’ and taken out of the Treasury’s current accounts.
The journalists probed them on how systems could best be improved and over the intensive two-hour debate, a six-point policy package emerged for future Government action:
1. A long-term strategy for the improvement and development of national transport systems on roads, rails and in the air, needed to be put in place as soon as possible;
2. Government funding should be better-directed and targeted towards priority projects both nationally and regionally and greater access should be permitted for companies and agencies for funding from the money
markets;
3. The construction industry and key transport gencies should develop a stronger and more effective voice to get their messages over to Government and their advisers;
4. There should be much more ‘blue skies thinking’ and the development of new transport innovations to meet the transport challenges of the future;
5. Better management of existing transport systems was needed to maximise the facilities already in place, including the much wider use of up to date technology,
and 6. Urgent progress was needed on key projects such as Cross Rail in London instead of interminable studies and inquiries, which effectively stifled development.
Two key quotes, from the many dozens made by the experts and journalists taking part in the morning session; One from Paul Finch: “What we are looking at is the systemic failure of Government policy over a long period of time.” and from Joe Weiss: “Nowhere in the Labour Party Manifesto for the last election can I find the ‘T’ word (for transport!). If Paul Finch’s remark seemed glaringly self-evident, Joe Weiss’s was quite revelatory.
After lunch on the Terrace in the House of Commons, sponsored by Lord Howie, permitting valuable networking opportunities for delegates with experts and journalists, the afternoon session – ‘The political perspective’ – was held in the Grand Committee Room, which acts almost as a reserve Parliamentary Chamber.
In the perverse way that events can sometimes work, a crucial Parliamentary Debate on Railtrack had been suddenly scheduled for the afternoon of the seminar and this meant that the formidable Gwyneth Dunwoody, Chair of the Commons Select Committee on Transport, was unable to take her expected place on the M.P.s panel. Since the Conservatives had earlier declined a place on the panel, it was left to Dr.John Pugh, M.P. the Liberal Democrats spokesman on Transport, to hold the political fort – a task he performed with both charm and skill and to the general acclaim of delegates present.
Question Masters for the afternoon session were: Dick Murray, Transport Correspondent of the London Evening Standard; Giles Barrie, Editor of Property Week, Ty Byrd, Editor, Transport Professional and Clive Branson, Editor, Commercial Property Register. Chairmen were Bill Olner M.P., Deputy Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Built Environment Group and Lord Davies of Coity.
John Pugh said the Government’s instinct when dealing with transport policy was to hold a policy review to get themselves off the hook of taking key decisions. But urgent problems of traffic congestion, environmental pollution and health and safety affecting existing transport systems were looming and need equally urgent attention. He said two principal solutions were ‘on the table’ – we could either try to build our way out of our problems or we could seek ways further to maximise our use of existing transport capacity. Either way, he warned, transport projects were ‘slow burn’ and, in the face of demands for spending on schools, hospitals and housing, could all too easily be put on the back slow burner.
During the debate it emerged that Regional Transport Boards, about which very little had been heard since their inception, were up and running, at least in some regions and Ian Dowling of CECA expressed concern that further delays in improving transport infrastructure could result from their operation. Once again key quotes stood out from the cut and thrust of the debate: from Dr.Pugh on the problems of traffic congestion: “The evidence is that people are happy to move from car to tram but not so happy to move between car and bus so in the North West local authorities are busy trying to make their buses look like trams!”.
From Ty Byrd on the general political attitude to transport policy: “I detect a total lack ofpolitical will on the part of Government.” In summary the two sessions of the seminar demonstrated clearly that transport in Britain in 2005 and beyond was facing a crisis and that urgent solutions needed to be found. To apply Gerald Bowey’s opening remarks on delays to Cross Rail in London to the wider problems of transport in Britain in the future: “It is not whether there is going to be a crisis in transport – it is when, and how we try to overcome it.”
Even after a fascinating and lively exchange of views that took place on October 24 in the Houses of Parliament, it is far from easy to see where the much-needed solutions are going to come from.
The Manchester launch of IBPs inaugural regional journalism awards scheme was judged ‘a resounding success’ by participants and sponsors alike.
Held at the truly spectacular venue of The Lowry Galleries at Salford Quays on Thursday, October 27, the awards ceremony, hosted by popular Manchester television and music personality, Tony Wilson, proved an impressive showcase for regional journalism in the North West and provided a valuable complementary event to the IBP National Journalism Awards Scheme to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Thursday, November 24.
The awards, made for high quality journalism on issues primarily affecting the North West region, comprised four categories: best regional article in a national newspaper; regional article in a national business magazine; article in a regional newspaper or business magazine and articles in property supplements.
The award for best regional article in a national newspaper was won by Helen Carter of The Guardian for her article on the regeneration of East Lancashire.
The award for the best article in a Regional Newspaper/Business Magazine was won by Paul Unger, freelance journalist, for his ‘Regeneration Game’ column in North West Business Insider
magazine. In this category Larry Neild of the Liverpool Daily Post was highly commended for his article in the Post on the vision for the Baltic Triangle area of the city.
David Hayward won the award for Best Article in a National Business Magazine Writing in Construction News, for his article on the refurbishment of anchester’s Rylands Library. Heather Grieg-Smith of Property Week was also highly commended in this category for her article on regional super casinos.
David Quinn of Estates Gazette won the award for a series of articles in a Property Supplement for his Manchester Up-date covering topical issues in the Manchester property market. In this category Jill Burdett of the Manchester Evening News was also highly commended for her regular ‘Homes supplement’.
A group shot of the winners & commendations from left: Jill Burdett (Manchester Evening News), Larry Neild (Liverpool Daily Post), Paul Unger (Freelance) Heather Greig-Smith (Property Week), Host: Tony Wilson, David Quinn (Estates Gazette), Helen Carter (The Guardian), David Hayward (Construction News)
The awards were judged by a top quality regional panel comprising:
Carol Ainscow, Chairman of Artisan Holdings
Rupert Goddard, Associate Director of Aedas Architects
Mike Homer, Development Director of AMEC
Elliot Lewis-Ward, Area Manager for English Partnerships
Stuart Lyell, Project Director at Allied London Properties
Andrew Shaw, Head of Agency at CB Richard Ellis
Robert Shaw, Chief Executive Castlewood Developments
Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive of Marketing Manchester
and Tony Wilson of Granada TV
Commenting on the judging and the quality of entries, Carol Ainscow said: “Our regional media give commercial organisations in the North West a voice to try to attract further investment into our region. We are delighted to be involved in an initiative like this and to have the opportunity to recognise the excellent work the media do to inform the public of work on the built nvironment. The quality of entries was excellent.”
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, IBP CEO, Gerald Bowey, said: “A great deal of hard work went into launching our inaugural regional awards scheme and I wish to express my warmest thanks to participants, judges, sponsors and FD Tamesis staff for their local knowledge and regional contacts which helped to make this event such a success and pave he way for a bigger and better awards scheme in 2006.”
Aaron Morby President (Construction News) Clive Branson Vice President
(Commercial Property Register) Patrick Gulley Chairman (Gardiner
& Theobald) Giles Barrie Vice Chairman (Property Week) Ben Roskrow Vice Chairman (Housebuilder) Rhodri Harries Hon Secretary (GCI London) Richard Aylwin (Aylwin Communications) Gerald Bowey (Communication Solutions) Denise Chevin (Building) Andrew Geldard (Willmott Dixon
Construction) David Helsen (Helsen Corporate Communications – c) Harriett Hindmarsh (Sheppard
Robson) Alan Hughes (Bulletin Editor) Dominic Morgan (Tamesis Business
Communications) Antony Oliver (New Civil Engineer) Ruth Slavid (AJ Focus/AJ Special Projects) Jo Smit (Regeneration) Alan Smith (HBG UK) Kristina Smith (Construction Manager) Andy Walker (Association for Consultancy and Engineering)
IBP SERVICES BOARD -2005/06 Aaron Morby President (Construction News) Paul Finch Hon Vice President
(Architectural Review) Patrick Gulley Chairman (Gardiner
& Theobald) Ben Roskrow Vice Chairman (Housebuilder) Gerald Bowey Chief Executive
(Communication Solutions) David Helsen (Helsen Corporate
Communications)
HON VICE PRESIDENTS Paul Finch (Architectural Review) Peter Bill (Estates Gazette) Adrian Barrick (CMP Information
Limited) Clive Branson (Commercial Property
Register)
It has been confirmed that Luke Johnson, Chairman of the Channel 4 Television Corporation, is to present the awards at the 2005 IBP National Journalism Awards Scheme dinner which is to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane, London, on Thursday, November 24. See you there!
A lively and responsive audience at the 2004 ‘Question Time’ luncheon, organised by Placemakers in association with IBP, probed the likelihood of London’s Crossrail project finally getting the go ahead.
At the session, held at the Marriott Hotel at Canary Wharf last month, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tony McNulty, said the Government faced ‘an enormous legislative slog’ to get the legislation it needed. They hoped to get the second reading of the Bill through by next February or March and then go into committee.He suggested that the project had moved to the point when it was not so much a question of whether but when and how, but there were still huge issues that had to be addressed regarding the financial and environmental questions surrounding Crossrail.
The concensus seemed to be that without Crossrail London could eventually grind to a halt and the future of Thames Gateway, which formed the basis for the discussion, be put at risk. ‘Question Time’ was chaired by Giles Barrie, Editor of Property Week and IBPVice Chairman, who demonstrated a genuine flair for controlling the questioning and directing the answers.
He was assisted by a top rate team of speakers comprising, as well as Mr.McNulty, Steven Norris, recent candidate against the incumbent Ken Livingstone in the race to be Mayor of London and again forcing him into a run-off.The other keynote speakers were Jackie Sadek, Chief Executive of Kent Thameside; Tim Seddon, Development Director, Land Securities and Eric Sorensen, Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway London Partnership.
IBP secured a major coup for the 2004 Richard Catt Environmental Debate when the internationally renowned architect and urban designer, Sir Terry Farrell, gave the keynote speech at the University of Westminster in September.
Sir Terry, who studied architecture at Newcastle University and then won a Harkness Fellowship to study masters courses in architecture and city planning at the University of Pennsylvania In Philadelphia,USA,discussed a range of projects which have shaped his practice and then concentrated on his current redesign and rebuilding of the Home Office in London.
He described how the three high rise buildings (which had formerly comprised the old Department of the Environment) had been demolished. These towers had long been regarded as a blot on the London landscape which sat behind the Houses of Parliament.Sir Terry explained how they were able to demonstrate that it was possible, instead of having three tower blocks, to design three low rise ‘groundscrapers’ with a street linking it all up. In this way the project became more of a community but without utilizing any mo reground area than that originally occupied by the tower blocks.
It had become, in effect, an example of urban renewal which now included housing and public space at the front. Various artists had become involved, including Liam Gillick, who had been short listed for the Turner Prize. Under Gillick’s guidance a whole range of artist shad been working on the project together with architects and urban designers working on housing, offices and art works.He explained how, in place of the old impermeable towers, there were now streets, pedestrian routes and a much better internal environment with more space beween the buildings.Sir Terry said that working with Liam Gillick was fascinating and as the project evolved they experimented with ways in which glass could be incorporated in the design.
The result is one of the largest artworks in Britain in different coloured glass. Earlier Gerald Bowey, Chief Executive of IBP Services, had introduced the debate by thanking the University of Westminster for hosting the event. He paid tribute to the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Geoffrey Coplanar, and Chris Marsh, a member of the Faculty at the University, formerly a close colleague of Richard Catt, who chaired the debate.He also thanked the evening’s sponsor, International Art Consultants/Art for Offices, for joining with IBP and for choosing the Catt debate for the presentation of their annual Art & Work Award.
Andrew Hutchinson, Director of International Art Consultants/Art for Offices, said the 20th anniversary of the awards would be held next year but to celebrate their own 25th anniversary this year they had decided to sponsor the first Art & Work Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement by an artist.He continued: “Over the past 25 years we have worked with many artists on a huge range of projects both within the UK and all over the world.
The winner of of the award tonight is one of the most creative and professional artists we have had the privilege of working with -William Pye.”“I could speak for hours on the scope and quality of Bill’s work and those of you who are familiar with it will know how stunning the combinations of water and sculpture he creates are and how perfectly they work in the many different locations for which they have been commissioned.”
IBP Services Chief Executive, Gerald Bowey, emphasised the added value provided by IBP to its members in his report, on behalf of the Executive Committee, to the Annual General Meeting held at The Building Centre last month.
He said: “No organisation can expect to survive and prosper without paying due care and attention to what its members want and need to enhance their own job performances, whether they are journalists or PR practitioners. I believe that, year on year, IBP continues to provide added value to its members.”
The Building Centre Group again hosted the annual IBP AGM, in the conference suite at Store Street, adding more than a touch of style by organising a wine tasting immediately following the AGM.
Andrew Scoones, director of The Building Centre Trust took time out from organising the transformation of the window area at Store Street, where he has created the New London Architecture experience – if you don’t do anything else this year go have a look – to host the tasting.
As usual Andrew brought his considerable knowledge of Italian wines to bear on the proceedings, providing a range of white and red wines for IBP members to savour, debate and categorize. The journalists yet again romp home with the right answers, with freelance Andy Taylor and Ruth Slavid, editor, AJ Focus taking home the prizes – their choice of the excellent wines tasted is edited by the Internal communications office and produced by an external agency. Tarmac World readership surveys showed that 88 per cent of the recipients read all or most of the magazine. “The judges liked its energy, its variety and its active regional correspondents and they felt it was an easy read,” concluded Murray.
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