Tuesday 26 November 2013

My last day as President and hand on the baton to Karl Grace

16 November 2013 - my final day as President. The AGM was held successfully at Kings Place in London. A very nice venue and good to see so many Members, old and new alike.

In reflecting and reviewing my two-years as President, I have been privileged to represent CIAT and the discipline of Architectural Technology. My two years have been incredibly special; I have had some of the most amazing experiences. The Institute is very special.

I have now passed on the baton to Karl Grace whom I know shares an incredible passion and drive that my predecessors and I have shared.

Karl, as practitioner and a former Honorary Secretary, will bring with him his skills and experiences to take CIAT and Architectural Technology through its continued growth as set out within the Strategic Plan. Karl has been an active member for many years starting as Councillor for the West Midlands Region before becoming Honorary Secretary for 12 years, as such he has vast knowledge and understanding of the operation of the Institute. Karl has also been involved with the Institute within a taskforce for Practice, which looks at the documents for the practising members.

Karl will be privileged to lead the Institute through its 50th Anniversary celebrations.

I wish Karl the very best and every success as President.

I now close this blog after two years and hope that you have enjoyed my ramblings and given you an insight into my two years in office. I now serve as Immediate Past President for a year and join the elite group of Past Presidents.

Handing over to Karl Grace PCIAT



My penultimate duty as President


My penultimate duty as President was a guest of APS President Richard Habgood at the Constructing Excellence Awards on Friday 15 November 2013 at The Tower Hotel in London.

Myself in the middle with Richard Habgood (right)


Construction Manager of the Year Award

I was a guest of CIOB at the Construction Manager of the Year Awards 2013 on 31 October held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London. It was hosted by Sian Williams.

The title was given to Stephen Roome and was a very pleasant evening which allowed me to network and spread the CIAT gospel.

Making new friends

Friday 25 October 2013

Presidential visit to Central Region and last plaque presentation

This now brings us up to date, with events from this week.

Firstly, a Presidential visit to the Central Region held at The Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame. It was good to see some familiar and unfamiliar faces when I did a presentation about the current activities of CIAT - the Regional Councillor even called it entertaining! I must have done something right!

Some of the Central Region including Gordon Cole MCIAT, Darren Bell MCIAT, Tony Keller MCIAT and David Enticknap MCIAT

Myself with the Central Region

Marjorie Smith MCIAT entertains fellow members from the Region

Then yesterday, 24 October, it was a visit to Scotland - to present the Highly Commended Alan King Award plaque to Stuart Davidson MCIAT who won it for South Lodge, Burnhouse. All plaques have now been presented and eagerly await to announce the winners for 2013 at the AGM on 16 November.

LABC and APS events

I now turn to the current month - October - which began with the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Presidents Reception on 1 October - another opportunity to mingle with friends and colleagues new and old and to spread the CIAT word.

Then on 9 October, I was delighted to be invited once more by the APS (Association for Project Safety) to present an award at their National CDM Awards held at their Awards Dinner in the Titanic Building in Belfast - I was back once more since our Dinner Dance held there last year! I was accompanied by my wife, Val, and our Vice-President Practice Gary Mees.

All good friends... - Gary Mees, Val, myself, Richard Habgood and his wife

...and jolly good company - Myself, Paul Everall CBE HonMCIAT, Richard Habgood, Graham Watts OBE HonMCIAT, Stanley Barker-McGuire and our good ladies.

Two different inaugurations

At work, University of Wolverhampton held its graduation ceremony at the start of September and Louise Brooke-Smith, President Elect of RICS (due to become the first woman President in July 2014) received her Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology.

Louise and I
Then an inauguration of a different kind - this one was the new President of the RIBA. Along with our President Elect, Karl Grace, we attended this event at Portland Place on 11 September. Stephen Hodder MBE became the RIBA President, taking over from Angela Brady. It was good to see Stephen again and mingle with fellow peers from the built environment.

All in a blur! Myself and Stephen - two Presidents

Council approve our Strategy

My final Council meeting as Chairman took place on 7 September at Central Office.

At this meeting, Council unanimously approved the Institute's Strategy for the next five years - this has since been issued as a document to all members and will be promoted very soon.

Council meeting in full swing