The new South East Branch Chairman is Harvey Mason BSc DipSurv MSc FCIOB MRICS FCIArb FASI. Harvey has worked in the construction industry for nearly thirty years and maintains an involvement in quantity surveying and project management. He is now a construction disputes consultant, is on several arbitration and adjudication panels, and has had numerous appointments.
Being elected Chairman of a branch of your professional institute by your peers is an honour, and I will try to maintain the energy level of Derek Ross over the last two years. On behalf of the branch I would like to thank him for all his endeavours. Of course, all chairmen are only as good as the committee that support them. I would, therefore, also like to extend my thanks to all those who retired from the committee at the last election and all those listed on the inside cover of News & Views who have generously offered to support me in my year as Chairman.
Over the coming year the meetings promise to be up to the standard we have come to expect; but until you actually try to arrange them you do not realise how much effort is involved. The summer outing is to be to Penshurst Place on 21 June; and, despite the disappointing lack of support for last year’s annual dinner, one will take place this year at our meeting venue of the Reigate Manor Hotel on 7 November. This is the first time we will have had our dinner there since November 1995, and on the basis of recent catering standards it promises to be a good evening.
The branch is trying something new this year in that there are two scheduled events on 15 April and 21 October which will take the form of a workshop where attendees can raise matters on adjudication generally at the first and on adjudication or arbitration at the second. Those attending will be able to put their questions to a panel of the wise and good. These questions can be theoretical or reflect an actual situation that they have encountered in their workplace. The panels will attempt to provide guidance on the options that are available.
Although it is often said that the branch is there for its members, that is indeed true. To continue the success of the branch requires the continued support of those it seeks to serve. For that reason I hope that the members will not only continue their support but will encourage others to come and put forward any ideas that they may have to further the aims and objectives of the branch.
The branch has its own website. Robin Orme now maintains it, and I strongly recommend that you visit it regularly. It can be found at www.arbitrate.org.uk. As in all editions of News & Views, details of forthcoming events are also included. I look forward to seeing you all at the future events.