What is The Buff Dining Club?
A group of opinionated clients, professionals and consultants from the UK property, design and construction sector who meet on a regular basis for banter and debate on topical issues of the day. Members are encouraged to invite guests and speakers will be asked to lead 'around the table' discussions. Held at venues which are convivial in atmosphere which allow members and their guests to express their views in an 'off the record' format. It is a format which has worked since the Buff Dining Clubs formation in Summer 1990 and of the current 70 members across the UK, many of which are the original members.
Currently we have clubs which meet regularly in Bristol and London, although over the years we have had past events in Bimingham and South Africa which have also been run on a similiar round table format. Howevr, during the past few months (Autumn 2008) we have taken a review of the club and decided to create more of a 'buzz' by inviting Key Note speakers to lead the discussion on key topics of the day. Through this process we hope to increase the membership and grow the club, with the aim of reaching 100 active members. I hope that you will join us on this journey..
Next Event - Autumn Dinner
The Cross Rail Debate with Clinton Leeks, Director of Crossrail
Date 1st October
Arrivals 7.15pm for 8pm : Finish 10.45pm
Crossrail - Value add or drain on resources
How will Crossrail benefit the London property & construction market?
Guest Speaker
Clinton Leeks, OBE - Director of Corporate Affairs, Cross London Rail Links (CLRL)
Clinton Leeks joined CLRL from the North of England Refugee Service, where he was Operations Manager. His previous roles included senior consultancy roles advising a wide range of UK and international businesses on government relations, procurement, business development, corporate PR and community relations issues.
He was also formerly a Director at the Hong Kong Airport Authority where he led the authority's external relations team in its relationships with Government, Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, the business, travel and tourism sectors, and political and community groups.He has also held various senior roles within the Hong Kong Government, and in the UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Roger Madelin, Chief Executive, Argent Group plc
Tony Travers, Director, The Greater London Group, London School of Economics
Moderator
Matthew Battle, Chair UK Property Forum and Director of Ibex Interiors
Annual Dinner - 19th November, 2008 (London - Oriental Club)
The Legacy Debate (with a Mancunian Theme)
Tom Harris, Head of Legacy Developments for the London 2012 Olympics and entertainment from the one and only Dom Collins, Singer and Raconteur.
Details to follow but will be held at The Oriental Club but in a bigger room. Tables will be availaible for booking at a competitive rate. The evening will be different but entertaining and a good leadin for Christmas 2008.
Format for the Evening - 'building upon discussion'
During every lunch or dinner, we will host a conversation around the table on topical issues of the day. Using the convivial atmosphere, the aim is to encourage debate and understand Members views which will help to create a better view of the world of property. |
