Presidential Luncheon and Inauguration 2010
On a warm spring day, guests of the Association of Building Engineers gathered at the House of Lords for the Presidents Luncheon and the Inauguration of incoming President Simon Lawes.
Following a drinks reception Beryl Menzies took to the stage to present her outgoing Presidential Address.
Beryl discussed the aims and objectives of the association and took the opportunity to look back at her eventful term in office. During Beryl's leadership the Association has undergone numerous changes, all of which have resulted in more transparent ways of working and improved communication methods especially with members. Beryl has travelled the length of the country throughout the year and she commented that this was the highlight of her term. She is proud to have represented the Association at numerous events, to have met with so many members and to have been given the opportunity to hear other people's views on the industry and suggestions on how the Association could help.
Beryl went on to thank everyone for their support with special mention to Ian, her husband, Arwel Griffith, Honorary Treasurer, the team at HQ, the Presidential Committee and the whole of council before turning her focus on to Simon. She commented that with his wealth of experience and qualifications Simon would be a great ambassador for the Association. Simon has a degree in Building Surveying, is a Fellow of the ABE, is a member of the RICS, a chartered environmentalist and a member of the World Organisation of Building Officials. During his time on council he has represented the ABE at the Building Control Alliance, the Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors and currently is the ABE representative at the Association of European Building Surveyors and Construction Experts (AEEBC).
Before undertaking her last official duty as President; Beryl spoke about Simons love of golf and karting; he regularly races his own Pro Kart and has raced with Team McClaren; she then passed the chain of office to 'Petrol Head' Simon and wished him well for the coming year.
Before leaving the stage Beryl presented Clare Lawes with a bunch of flowers in recognition of the support she will be giving Simon throughout the next twelve months.
Simon's first duty as President of the Association was to install Beryl Menzies as 'Past It' (the post formerly known as Immediate Past President), and to thank Ian Menzies for all the support he has given to both Beryl and the Association during her term of office, he then presented his inaugural address before all the guests sat down to lunch.
Following lunch, Lord Howie of Troon delivered a fantastic speech and to quote one guest 'his comic timing is equal to that of many professionals'. He spoke about the new coalition Government, and the challenges and opportunities that this could bring to the industry. He went on to talk about his experiences as a peer in the House of Lords and the changes he has seen as new governments have come and gone. Lord Howie has been a member of the labour party since he was a young lad, but suggested now that he was getting a little older (and having been a member of the House of Lords for over thirty years) that it might be about time that he set up a new political party 'Heritage Labour' in order to make a distinction between himself, new labour and old labour.
Lord Howie finished up by congratulating Simon and wishing him well for his year in office.
The Association would like to formally thank Lord Howie for hosting Simon's inauguration at the House of Lords and for all the support he has given the Association as an Honorary Fellow of the ABE.
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