CIPFA North East Annual Dinner
2019 Annual Dinner
Over 70 CIPFA Members and guests gathered for the 2019 CIPFA NE Dinner at the Crown Plaza Hotel Newcastle on Friday 03 May, with a dual purpose of celebrating the previous year and starting the May Bank Holiday weekend in fine style.
Dinner Host Bruce Parvin thanked all the guests present for their support of the event, and emphasised the importance of the support of sponsors Mazars and Engie in making the event happen, our thanks to them for their generous and ongoing support.
Bruce also congratulated Mazar’s Gareth Davies on his appointment as the Head of the National Audit Office, an appointment ratified by no less than the Queen herself! Gareth was also thanked for his contribution to NE region activities. The example of Michael Brodie was also highlighted whose Public Health England Finance team had been highly commended in the Central Government category in the recent Public Finance awards. Their examples were cited to provide examples of what is possible to the many CIPFA students in attendance at the Dinner- it could be you next!
In his inaugural speech, new CIPFA NE President Jim Dafter paid tribute to his predecessor Judith Savage, highlighting the establishment of the Women in Leadership Conference in the annual calendar among Judith’s many achievements in the role. Jim’s speech also highlighted the importance of effective networking and building relationships with colleagues both within CIPFA, and particularly within the North East, as he recounted many influences within his professional career, including many present on the evening.
Jim implored all present to be enthusiastic CIPFA advocates whether or not they were available to assist with events or volunteer on the local Executive Committee. Regular Dinner attendee Keith Purvis was cited as a great example of this whose encouragement to pursue CIPFA’s professional qualification and been influential to many, including both Jim and Bruce .
Jim also had the pleasure of presenting two awards, the national Dr Hedley Marshall Award to Bruce Parvin for his longstanding service to CIPFA NE region, and the David Clark award to Jason Smith for his efforts supporting the local CIPFA student network and activities.
Speaking eloquently about her pride at formally accepting the role of CIPFA National President, Sarah Howard reflected on her longstanding involvement with CIPFA, from grass roots level, in the original NE Region which stretched from Berwick down to Yorkshire and Humberside prior to the re-organisation in the late 20th Century! While the distances involved may have provided challenges in establishing a central point for meetings, they were no barrier in establishing longstanding relationships with CIPFA NE stalwarts such as George Clark and Jane Cuthbertson, which are still going strong.
CIPFA’s Business Development Manager Dan West then spoke passionately about SANDS the Stillbirth And Neonatal Death charity who support parents who suffer the tragedy of losing a child in such circumstances. Dan spoke of the importance of SANDS support, and how their specialised services should be available to all parents. Dan highlighted the importance of awareness-raising so parents do not feel so isolated and alone, and directed all attendees to the website www.withHopeinyourheart.co.uk and the opportunity to take place in a world record breaking football match, as well as raising money for the charity. The fantastic sum of £570 was also raised for the Charity from a raffle, and George Clark’s table quiz again provided much food for thought, with congratulations to the efforts of David Hasnip in securing the obligatory bottle of champagne.
The Dinner was excellent, our thanks to Gillian and her team at the Crowne Plaza hotel for looking after us so well. Thanks also to Steve of www.stevebrockphotography.co.uk for capturing the evening on camera.
The conversations continued long into the morning, once again highlighting the importance of networking and building relationships!
Photos from our Annual Dinner are now on our Photobucket