PESGB September 2019
Plus much more inside
A Call to Council …
During the course of 2019, the political leadership of the UK has focused the attention of the public on a series of polls that have included the European Elections, Local Council Elections, Political Party Leadership Elections and By-elections. On top of this, the nation has engaged with the ongoing Brexit deliberations as the ‘meaningful votes’ failed on two occasions to get through Parliament. So, I start my article on the forthcoming PESGB Council Elections with a degree of reservation as I do not want to promote a ‘Brenda from Bristol’ response: “Oh, no, not another one”!
The PESGB’s Council Elections will take place during October and November with the results published in the December Magazine ahead of PROSPEX 2019 and the President’s Evening. The PESGB Council comprises of thirteen officers, seven of whom are up for election in 2020. Over the course of the PESGB’s fifty five year history, the Society has benefitted from a Council comprised of volunteers to define and implement its strategic development and evolution. A position on Council provides the opportunity for members to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the future strategic direction of the PESGB, supported by Executive Director, Maria Iredale, and the PESGB office staff.
The seven council positions that are up for election include the President Elect, Treasurer, Aberdeen Director Elect, Education and Training Director, Young Professionals Director, Outreach Director, and Communications Director. Details about the individual roles and responsibilities for each officer are available on the PESGB website. Should you require more information please feel free to contact the respective outgoing Council officer. The PESGB has benefitted greatly from the services of Gavin Ward and Tracey Dancy who have served on Council as Treasurer and Communications Director for the last four and five years respectively. The continuity of their service has enabled the Society to profit from procedures that they have introduced which will enable the new incumbents to begin their terms of office with good processes and practices already in place.
On page 33 of the Magazine you will read that plans are already in place for PETEX 2020. Last year PETEX was convened at Olympia London. However, the historic exhibition centre is planned for a £1 billion transformation and redevelopment which is due to commence in 2020. As a result, PETEX 2020 will be convened at the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington. As many members already know, the BDC, like Olympia London offers delegates a central and accessible location with many local facilities. The BDC has a larger floorplan for exhibition space and should provide an excellent alternative to Olympia London. We will continue to provide updates on the technical programme as plans for PETEX 2020 progress.
The 2020 Council will be led by Beverley Smith in her role as President. Beverley will have served a year in waiting by year end. Having had the opportunity and benefit to work alongside her for the last eight months, I am in no doubt that she will provide a professional, dynamic and creative service to the role of President.
From a personal perspective my time on Council has been richly rewarding and a privilege to engage with constructive forward thinking colleagues. If you think you can make a difference, then I would have no hesitation in recommending Council to prospective candidates.