I have never been a great one for networking, regarding it much as I would a visit to the dentist; a necessary evil that while unpleasant at the time, is good for you and offers rewards in the future.
So, it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I booked my place on Oxford Development Plans 2017. It was an event organised by Built Environment Networking, who are, according to their blurb; “The UK’s leading networking events for professionals in property and construction.”
As head of the Virtus Consult office in Oxford, I’m tasked with business development. This opportunity to gain valuable insight into the future development and regeneration plans in the City, was compelling.
The event followed the usual format. A little networking over drinks after registration, before the speakers made their presentations.
The presentations
Sue Halliwell, Director for Planning & Place at Oxfordshire County Council set the scene on the unique market conditions in the County and also highlighted the impressive development and regeneration plans that are already in place and making Oxfordshire a very attractive place in which to do business.
First of the panelists to speak was Philip Campbell, Commercial Director of MEPC, who own Milton Park in southern Oxfordshire, home to more than 9,000 workers.
Tom Edgerley the Development Director from U+I. Considering it’s a business with a £6 billion portfolio of complex, mixed-use, community-focused regeneration projects and a £200m investment portfolio, there was certainly keen interest in the room to understand their future plans.
Head of Public Sector Partnerships at Legal & General Investment Management, Pete Gladwell displayed a genuine passion and drive to find opportunities for sustainable investment in housing, urban regeneration and infrastructure, with the creation of economic growth and employment at its heart.
Given our work in the healthcare sector, a major reason for my attendance at the event was Peter Knight, Chief Information Officer of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who detailed the significant recent investment in the Trust’s technology infrastructure to help transform healthcare, research and education in Oxfordshire.
Last, but by no means least was Peter Ward, Director of Healthcare Projects for infrastructure giant John Laing Group who impressed with his determination to find solutions that make the NHS fit the needs of today.
The networking
To allow us all to catch our collective thoughts after taking in so much information, there was a little more networking, before the few of us with VIP tickets, headed off to dinner with the six panellists.
This intimate VIP end to the evening really made the event a great success, allowing me time to really understand the key drivers for projects in the County, which undoubtedly reflects the same issues and successes that other regions are suffering/enjoying.
There are a number of upcoming events, many close to our offices, so it will be interesting to compare and contrast the messages coming from the Coventry, Leeds and London events, all of which occur before Christmas.
Derby is yet to appear on the event list, but given the significant investment Virtus Consult has made opening a new office in the city, we will have to make our own connections as we grow our presence across the region.
I have now recommended similar events to my colleagues and am a convert to this ‘grown-up’ approach to networking, but must admit fine dining with the team of knowledgeable expert panelists helped – I’m not convinced every networking event will go so well.
