fbe host annual North West event with senior construction industry leaders

The Forum for the Built Environment (fbe) hosted their annual 'business leaders' dinner in the North West at Chetham's School of Music on 10^th February.

This prestigious event, attracted 40 of the property and construction sector's leading businesses who debated the future of the industry.  Representatives in attendance included senior business leaders from a cross section of the industry including Manchester City Council, Universities, Argent, Muse; professional consultants including Gleeds, Mace, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Stephenson Bell and major contractors, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Laing, McAlpine, Wates & Carillion.

Key topics for discussion at the dinner revolved around the future of the industry and how the leaders could work together to ensure best practice.  A round table debate predicted a cautiously optimistic outlook for the industry in the North West this year with feelings both positive and negative about the Manchester region versus London.

One of the business leaders who attended, John Shannon, Business Unit Director at Wates Construction said: "the debate reflected the uncertainty within the economy and whilst we have a clear line of sight on the short term opportunities, the medium and longer term is less certain.  The announcement this week of Project Merlin and the Government's attempt to stimulate recovery will still be tempered by the public sector spending cuts. This year will continue to be a challenge with cautious optimism for those with a strong financial base and a broader business portfolio."

Mike Payton, Director of Muse Developments said "it is a great forum to meet like minded professionals from the industry where you can share views. We would certainly support such an event again in the future".

The evening included a tour of Chetham's library, (the oldest public library in the English speaking world) and a musical performance by some of the students of the School.  On behalf of all the guests, fbe also made a charitable donation to Chetham's, via a campaign called 'Raise The Roof' (to help fund the new School building), whereby each business leader's company will now be represented on the School's 'virtual wall'.

Geoff Woods, Director at Gleeds and Chairman of fbe Manchester who hosted the event said: "40 leading North West organisations are represented here tonight, it's been a great success for the fbe and it continues our drive to provide the very best events for our members and our guests. The after dinner debate gave many insightful views of the continuing challenges and opportunities ahead from the perspectives of all the public and private sector bodies, universities, developers, consultants and contractors we have brought together tonight; overall an excellent evening"

The Forum for the Built Environment is a leading multi-disciplinary networking organisation focused on the construction and property industry across the UK, with a growing membership of over 2,000 it is run by property and construction leaders who host regular events on important industry matters.

The fbe will be celebrating it's 65^th Birthday at the end of the year and plans are afoot to make it a huge celebration for its members.  Their plan for 2011 is to continue providing high level networking events with key speakers from within the property and construction industries and to attract more active members into the fbe.