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Notes & Speakers

Members & Benefits

Full list available upon confirmation of membership in Acrobat format but in summary the companies include members from a range of companies across the property, design and construction sector including developers - professional firms and contractors. In total we have have more than 45 members.

Past Speakers have included:

Roger Madelin, Joint CEO, Argent
Tony Travers, London School of Economics
Paul Morrell, Davis Langdon and Past President BCO
Tom Harris, Head of Legacy, 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority
Geoff Marsh, Applied Property Research ( THE late and great!)
Peter Wynn-Rees, City Planning Officer, City of London
Jack Pringle, Partner, Pringle Brandon and Past President, RIBA
George Furgerson, Past President RIBA and Partner, Ferguson Mann
Clinton Leeks, Director, Crossrail
Denise Chevin, Editor, Building
Stef Stefanou OBE, Chairman, Doyle plc
John Howell, Construction Director, Candy & Candy
Steve McGuckin, Managing Director, Turner & Townsend PM
Paul Finch, CABE
Nick Searl, Development Director, Argent Kings Cross

SOME NOTES FROM PREVIOUS DINNERS

Establishing the New Order – 11th February, 2009: Oriental Club, London

inter: What will be the new landscape when the winds of change abate? What will be the new rules when the economy returns? Will business behave and occupy space differently? And what are the new rules of engagement? Is their a New Capitalism being created?

Discussion led by:

Peter Wynn Rees, The City Planning Officer, Dept of Planning & Transportation

Jack Pringle, Past President RIBA and Partner, Pringle Brandon.

A mixed bag: These are conclusions and themes that resulted from the evenings discourse, including my own thoughts, on what the New Order will look like.In other words, none of these statements are attributable to any one individual who attended the evening but are a collaboration from the attendees.

London's strength will be as a center for urban life and development, a place to party and have fun. Whilst It may not naturally be a place for families, it will encourage a different type of community. It will be a place for people to meet and feel united by simply being near each other and feeling the security of being in a community which an office and urban situation can provide.

Offices will of course continue but they will be more and more a place to encourage this sense of so called 'party' community. Offices will act as the catalyst for people to live, eat, hibernate, germinate and create their ideas and visions. In other words offices in the New Order will be more than just an office – they will be a catalyst for all of one's emotions in life.

Through this combining of the office and a sense of place, we shall see the development of the hub or destination. In other words, the new developments in the New Order will be about creating new destinations. We have enough offices and shops but we do not have enough places to sit, visit and congregate around.

The Generation X and Y require different things from today's 40/50 years olds. They (average age 32) will be using space differently and requiring a different emphasis on how they approach the use of space and the relationship with the office. This will have implications for all of us as we enter the next round of development to ensure that their needs are understood inn respect of IT, wireless working, fast moving communities, open plan and work/life balance.This is the FaceBook generation where everything is virtual, shared or flexible.

Austerity is the opulence. As we move from a period of wealth and opulence, we will move into a period frugalness, thrift and austerity. This will be similar to the 1950's post Second World War economics in many ways. The new Order will have to reflect these new values and property will be re-used and churned to ensure value for money is achieved. We shall not see many new buildings as this will be perceived as a 'waste' and (tall) buildings will only be built if pre-let.

Banks are now almost nationalised. Scotland biggest companies are now owned by Westminster. The rules really have changed. Bankers will be seen to eat the proverbial 'humble pie' and we shall return to old school banking of lending against fixed assets and secured income. Business that survives will have to return to old skills, which are real and the management consultants will become extinct. We shall only be buying and using what is only essential.

The New Order will be kicked off in America (although China and Far East has the most personal savers). Watch out for first business 'green shoots' across the pond first and the medicine for our cold which will start the healing process. A new President will enable us to grow strong again but it will take time – 2 to 5 years and the rules will be different. We live in a global world, which is connected in nano-second, which in many ways created this mess and will potentially solve this mess.

Finally, that word and ethos of sustainability is under threat. Still essential in the New Order but if it cannot be proved that it saves money then it will be discarded.Skills are leaving the industry and never to come back. This is the lost generation.

MIPIM Conversation

Jack was quoted in last weeks: ' I think there will be a very different tone this year, but in a recession you can cut back on marketing at your peril..' What did the attendees believe about MIPIM 09? Does it have a value in today's difficult climate? From a request for 'hands up' who attending we had a 50% positive response. Ran out of timeand topic was left.

(Note that Harry Barnitt needs a co-driver for the drive to MIPIM. Any volunteers?)

Matthew Battle, Buff Chairman, 16th February 2009

Summer: Review of the Buff Dining Club – 30th April
RAC, Pall Mall, London SW1

Welcome from the ‘aspiring’ Buff Poet Laureate 


Let us enjoy tonight’s company
The debate and repartee
Whist remembering those around us less fortunate
And not invited to the Party!

When I wrote this on the train coming back from Birmingham, flush from the success of winning a BCO Award in the Midlands, it appeared to make sense. Upon reflection, I should of taken advice from one of those ever so cuddly and respected lawyers in attendance at the Dinner who, apparently in these enlightened times, should not be feared anymore. (This is the preserve of the banker!)

We were entertained and informed by a selection of the industries finest at the Buff Dining Club debate on 30th April at the RAC, London. When it comes to international travel and the implications of international markets for the UK we had a selection of views and news. In no particular order and with no particular references to any individual, here are some of the bites collected during my travels as Chairman on the night.

- Watch out for the key World Cities, as they will arise from the ashes first: London, New York and Shanghai. However, protectionism will become an issue and this will be esp. in the USA. Pick you friends carefully when entering – a good partner, like in life, is ever so important.

- There is no panacea for the current ills: it will take time and be a convoluted journey. A key to recovery will be the ability to be flexible and to speak the international language of business.  Construction will continue to be limited until 2010 and the micro economic climate will continue to be effected. We are beyond a recession and now into the realms of a depression.

- However, beware the man speaking in foreign tongues. Working in Dubai or abroad is no sudden relief for our ills here in the UK and will not bring a sudden return to the ‘good times’. It could be dangerous and many, form Laing to current consultants and contractors operating in the region, will loose money when they play in foreign climbs.

- Also beware the contractor without the supply chain skills when abroad. This is the risky decision compared to the consultant, who can survive on fee recovery and reduce his risk. For the main contractor you are only as good as your best India tradesman!

- Finally, note the new order, Client (The Money) – Design (The Vision) – Manufacturer (The Supplier or Manufacturer). When you cut out the middlemen and this is what you are left with. The current recession will reduce the layers of people involved and when the music stops you need to be in one of those camps.  This maybe the solution for the future as the market slowly recovers and generates more opportunities.

Matthew Battle, Chairman, Buff Dining Club


Feedback and Comments from Members : 

'Opportunity to bring friends and clients to a friendly environment'

'Gives me an excuse to dress up'

'Friendly and not stuffy'

'Informative round the table discussions'

'Camaraderie amongst members'

'Source of new business opportunities'

'UK Regions network'