With the theme of favourite trips, I knew that we would be in for a treat as the PESGB members are a well-travelled bunch. Destinations included Egypt, Utah and the New Zealand Glaciers and they were all represented by some impressive pictures on individuals’ digital backdrops.

We had two great first speeches by Melanie Savage (Cairn Energy) and Sam Neighbour (PESGB), which both entertained and inspired. As this was only our second meeting many of the members were taking on meeting roles for the first time. All these roles support both the meeting and the learning of everyone involved.

The impromptu speaking element of the agenda is a personal favourite as the challenge to think on your feet in front of an audience really gets the adrenalin flowing. The evenings award for the best impromptu speaker went to Shereen Nairne, who handled the pressure and gave us a great demonstration of ‘thinking on your feet’.

Its was only our second meeting but I can already see some wonderful speakers emerging and I know they will go onto surprise themselves in what they can achieve and surprise you, the members, when you hear them present at conferences, events of the boardroom in the future.