VIEW THE ANNUAL LUNCH PHOTOS HERE. — VIEW THE ANNUAL LUNCH BROCHURE HERE. — VIEW THE CHAIR’S SPEECH HERE.
On 21 November, we welcomed 1,400 members and guests at Grosvenor House Hotel for the 2019 WPA Annual Lunch. The highlight of the Association’s calendar, the Annual Lunch is our largest event of the year.
Following an opening video showing the unique features that make Westminster special, Craig McWilliam (WPA Chair and Chief Executive of Grosvenor GBI) welcomed guests to the lunch for the first time as Chair, outlining how Westminster plays a significant and strategic role in London and the UK. It became clear in the introductory message that the real estate industry plays a vital role in making Westminster “relevant, resilient and successful for everyone”. The WPA Chair provided an update on the Association’s Good Growth agenda, detailing the contributions made to local and city-wide plans, in addition to the upcoming Manifesto for Good Growth.
The keynote address of the Lunch was provided by Lord O’Donnell (former Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service between 2005 and 2011) who outlined his 30 years’ experience in the treasury and his work alongside four Prime Ministers with personal anecdotes. Lord O’Donnell provided an insightful and engaging perspective on the ongoing political developments, including the need to use economic analysis as a means of unlocking our productive potential and improving the nation’s wellbeing.
We would like to extend our thanks to all 1,400 attendees. We hope that you enjoyed yourself and look forward to welcoming you next year!
View a selection of the social media reaction from the event:
Things are in full swing for the #WPALunch 2019 – welcome to our 1,400 members and guests. pic.twitter.com/5k9SiWErjq
— WPA (@TheWPA) November 21, 2019
From Edinburgh @RTPIScotland to @RTPI_LONDON @TheWPA delighted to represent @RTPIPlanners at today’s annual lunch hearing from Chair Craig McWilliams @Grosvenor_GBI about #goodgrowth #homes #infrastructure #planning #placemaking #community #trust pic.twitter.com/i4qbTk6ldS
— Victoria Hills MRTPI (@VictoriaRTPI) November 21, 2019
A tour-de-force from our chair Lord @Gus_ODonnell at the @TheWPA lunch today, covering the past, present & future of the UK. Going forward, he highlighted the need to use economic analysis as a means of both unlocking our productive potential and improving the nation’s wellbeing https://t.co/vcg0ZHpCLA
— Pro Bono Economics (@ProBonoEcon) November 21, 2019
Fantastic WPA event today. Craig McWilliams encouraging the industry to engage with community more. Lord O’Donnell lauding the objective @UKCivilService whilst warning of dangerous false promises in the current election rhetoric. Fascinating opinion all round. @TheWPA #WPA
— JamesHGRealEstate (@jhgrealestate) November 22, 2019
