Past Event

Branch:	South East
Date:	20 Feb 2008
Title:	South East Annual Branch dinner Key note speaker Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller
Location:	RiBA Portland Place London

South East Branch annual dinner


Nearly 140 guests attended the South East Branch annual dinner on 20th February, kindly sponsored by Malcolm Hollis and held in the elegant surroundings of the RIBA’s Florence Hall.

Outgoing regional Chairman, Gillian Murray welcomed members and their guests at a champagne reception and later thanked her committee and other Chairmen, past and present for their support throughout her year in office. Following the success of the inaugural National Student Awards last year, Gillian welcomed the 2008 programme which she described as bringing great optimism, enthusiasm and excitement to young talent in the industry.

Guests were then inspired and delighted by the keynote speaker, former Director General of the Security Service, MI5, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller. Dame Eliza, who joined the Service in 1974, spent the majority of her career in MI5 working on counter-terrorism relating to both international and domestic terrorist threats.

Describing herself as both a “developer and a builder” in her private life, Dame Eliza said that in her career she had been inspired by the value of the work, with its opportunity to seek to protect the people of this country. In her entirely self-deprecating style, confessed she did not realise she was a role model until late in her career.

“Leadership is about being yourself. It isn’t about turning into something you’re not. Think of yourself as a role model, about the impact you can have on your people… and remember to thank people for what they do. We don’t thank people enough. Acknowledgment of the contribution of others and concern for their welfare are both of great importance for the health of an organisation.”

Dame Eliza concluded by wishing growth and success to Women in Property and reminded the audience that our ultimate aim must be to get to the point where we no longer need the organisation.

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