Preconvision Limited - Constructionline Gold Member, RICS Tech Partner

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the National Liberal Club Annual Summer Party.

It was an evening filled with live music from singer Miss Jones, and a summer buffet enjoyed on the stunning Terrace overlooking the Embankment, the River Thames, and views towards the London Eye, in the City of Westminster.

I particularly enjoyed taking in the French Renaissance architecture, and the Victorian interior design of the Smoking room and the Dining room tiled Corinthian columns. I also enjoyed exploring the massive marbled main staircase, which is apparently a simplified reconstructed design after the wartime bombing.

In my research before attending this event, I learn’t that this Private members club was, at the time of completion in 1911 - the largest ever club house built in London.

It was a pleasure to have met John Sweeney and his partner Maria Iacuzio, Charles G Gillett - Honorary Archivist of the National Liberal Club and Karin Rehacek Chair of the National Liberal Club.

Thank you to Luke Birkett for coming as my guest.

On Wednesday 26 July, PreConVision was fortunate enough to attend an annual event at Vintners' Hall (number 11 of the Great 12 Livery Companies), based in the City of London.

One of the key pillars of the City and Livery movement is the support of trade, promoting excellence within the various professions (both ancient and modern) which the Livery Companies represent.

The The Worshipful Company of Distillers held their annual Spirits Tasting, in partnership with the World Drinks Awards, promoting the very best spirits and liqueurs from around world.

Thank you for coming along as my guests, Edmund Hastie, and fellow Freeman James Willson and Luke Birkett MCIOB MAPM MCABE CMgr MCMI of the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors.

It was a pleasure to have made acquaintances with Master Chris Searle of The Worshipful Company of Distillers and Vincent Keaveny CBE Immediate Past Lord Mayor of the City of London Corporation.

It was good to see in the Main Hall, 24 Masters from other Livery Companies, members of the Guild and other guests from all across the City to sample Country Award and World Award Winning drinks from the 2023 awards range, celebrating the incredible standards achieved by so many producers.

Did you know the oldest business institution within the UK and still in existence to this day is The Royal Mint?

This company is the Home of Gold for the UK and stretches back more than 1,100 years and founded in 886. The first sliver penny was struck in the 9th Century during the reign of Alfred the Great. From 1279 a single mint was formed within the Tower of London. This Royal fortress provided a secure location for striking the nation’s coins for centuries.

A new mint was built on Little Tower Hill in the early 19th Century, a short distance from the Tower. Due to increase demand for coins, this site became obsolete and the decision was taken to move The Royal Mint out of London to South Wales in 1968.

I learnt this from two recent events; one with the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors on Wednesday 05 July - where we toured the Grounds of the Tower of London by a professional tour guide, and the second event with Simone de Gale ARB RIBA on Thursday 13 July - where we toured the 886 by The Royal Mint at Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly, London.

What I enjoyed to learn the most was how today The Royal Mint continues to be the original maker of British coins, the home of precious metals, and is the worlds largest export mint.

It was good to meet Tim Cameron, Anna Monich, Leena Le, Laxmi Vaghani and Lainey Sheridan-Young.

It was great to see again Dane Ellis, Andre Harvey and Luke Birkett.

Thank you to Andrew Hastie for the grand tour at the Tower of London with our fellow Constructors.

Thank you to Simone de Gale ARB RIBA for the inspiring event at 886 boutique shop.

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On Monday 10 July, PreConVision was invited to the Summer Business Networking Party at the Institute of Directors (IoD).

It was a pleasure to be in the magnificent Georgian building and enjoying the summer Garden Terrace.

The event focused on Finance and Fintech, and was attend by more than 200 people, where I met with allot of familiar faces crossing over from tech, property and Metaverse events.

It was a joy to see in the room my fellow serial networkers - Yvonne de Ville whom was the lead speaker, Kavan Polson, Paul Watts, Michael Cherrington, Luke Birkett and Balbir Judge.

It was a pleasure to connect with Raj Mendhir.

Thank you so much to Argentina Hung for the kind invitation.

On Thursday 06 July, Christopher was fortunate enough to have an invitation to the UK House of Lords for the Forum for the Built Environment President’s Reception Drinks, in the Peer’s Dining Room.

This was Christopher’s first visit to the Palace of Westminster and I had the privilege of a short guided tour by Rob Beales. I was amazed at all the statues of post monarchs carved into the walls and columns through the grand historic interior space.

Our host was John Gummer, Rt Hon The Lord Deben, and in attendance from the FBE was CEO David Jones and David Hutt.

It was a joy to be see in the room my fellow The Worshipful Company Of Constructors Rob Beales, Juna Margariti, Master David Sheehan, Terry Withers, Alina Scarlat, Stewart Owen, Gary Jackson, Luke Birkett Chris Turner.

I had great pleasure to connect with mighty Argentina Hung and the lovely Marie Massaquoi.

Thank you so much to Chris Hunter-Taylor and Jo Shepherd for organising such an impressive venue to celebrate summer and solidify the relationships we have made over the past year.

On Thursday 06 July at 11:30hrs, that day Christopher was admitted into Court, clothed and promoted from Freeman to a Liveryman of the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors of the City of London Corporation.

During the ceremony - it was an absolute honour to agree to the Oath of a Liveryman of the Company and sign the Livery book in witness of the Master, Wardens and Members of Court.

Liverymen are senior members of the Company who have the right to participate in the election of Sheriffs, Ales Conners, Bridge Masters, City Auditors and the right of approval of candidates for the office of Lord Mayor. Liverymen also have the right to stand for election as a Sheriff and certain other ancient offices in the City.

The ceremony was held in the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, Court room in the City of London (The Barbers are ranked number 17 of the 111 Livery Companies).

I had the unique opportunity to be photographed with my Certificate in front of the famous painting of King Henry VIII and the Barber Surgeons, know as the “The Holbein” painted in oil on oak panels, which shows the King celebrating the Act of Union between the Company of Barbers and the Guild of Fellowship of Surgeons in 1540. A painting which I learned is uninsurable and is worth a staggering £30,000,000.

Thank you so much to Master David Sheehan, Kim Tyrrell, Terry Withers, Tim Fitch, Stewart Owen, Henry Lamb, Rob Beales, Rianne Scott, Juna Margariti, Gary Jackson, John Sayers and Luke Birkett for helping achieve this recognition to become a Liveryman.

I look forward to more active involvement in the Company events, adding value to the committees i’m involved with and my contribution to the life of the Company.

On Monday we had the fortune to attend the Livery Climate Action Group - 2nd Annual Conference. The event was hosted at Merchant Taylors'​ Company Hall (one of the Great 12 Livery Companies), based in the City of London Corporation.

The agenda for the conference focused on matters which most affect Livery Companies such as sustainable catering, carbon reduction and a sustainable approach to refurbishment such as retrofitting. A term I tend to hear more and more in workshops and conferences lately.

On the day we had the opportunity to learn from our fellow Liverymen and speakers within the industry on tangible approaches they are taking in response to climate change. We learnt from keynote speakers on how a company can take action on climate change and the environment.

It was a great to see and catch up with fellow Freeman and Liveryman from the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors such as Paul Sheedy, James Willson, Terry Withers, Simon Turner, Master David Sheehan, Mark Jenkinson and Luke Birkett.

It was a pleasure to have made acquaintances with Kevin Hydes, Doug Kerr, Victoria Younghusband, Stuart Mitchell, Tom Storey, Mandy Messenger, Matthew Wallace, and John Pike.

Thank you to Alison Gowman, Juna Margariti and Lisa Kenny for arranging such an engaging event.

PreConVision have just returned from their first Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) Europe Conference: Full Circle: The Life and Second life of European Tall Buildings - in the City of Frankfurt, in Germany.

Last Thursday evening, we were invited to a networking reception at the Gaia Rooftop, with stunning views of the City Tower Cluster.

On Friday, we had the pleasure of attending the Silver Building, with an impressive conference room on level 32, with views across the Financial City Capital.

There were over 100 attendees from 36 cities and 19 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. It was an incredible few days of thoughtful and thought-provoking presentations, stimulating conversation, astounding off-site tours and plenty of networking.

Thank you to Steven Henry, Tracie Moxley,
Dario Trabucco and Steve Watts for making us feel so welcome and being such great hosts. The hospitality was impeccable.

It was great to see again Tom Clewlow, Andrew Gray, Daniele Reale, Lindel R., Mohammad Mollazadeh.

It was a pleasure to have met John Lione, Itamar Netzer, Anna Hock, Julia Koehler, Roland Bechmann, Mauro Eugenio Giuliani, Tobias Keyl, Jeremy Mayhew, Jon Becerra Booth, and Ramona Magdalena Thumm.

On Monday 19 June at 10:30hrs, that day Christopher Breiner was the youngest person to be admitted into the The Freedom of the City of London Corporation.

During the ceremony - it was an absolute honour to read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and sign the Register of Freeman in witness of the Chamberlain and the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court.

This is a very ancient and unique tradition in the City of London, dating back to 1237. A privilege that follows in the footsteps of Lord Nelson, The Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale, Sir Winston Churchill and most recently - Harry Kane.

The ceremony was held in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall, where I was allowed to invite friends and good acquaintances I have made at the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors.

Thank you so much to Stewart Owen, Tim Fitch, Terry Withers, Gary Jackson, John Sayers and Luke Birkett for attending. I felt honoured to have had shared this experience with you all.

I can now proudly progress to Liveryman with the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors.

A special thank you to Master David Sheehan, Derek Farrow and Kim Tyrrell for your support leading up to the ceremony.

A great team photo taken from the Roof Terrace of the RICS building in Parliament Square, Westminster City Council last Friday.

Thank you to Justin Sullivan for your hospitality later that evening. It was a pleasure to have seen the best venues in Pall Mall, like the Royal Automobile Club.

Andrew Knight, David Dooks, Blane Perrotton FRICS MCInstCES, Matthieu Lamy, Alan Muse, Andrew Langridge, Kevin O'Grady, Rasmus Pedersen, Sinimol Noushad FRICS,FAIQS, SSC-ICMS, MIS, MIIQS, William Doyle, Jaana Suittio, Karl Trusler

On Friday we were fortunate enough to be invited as a speaker at the The European Council of Construction Exonomists (CEEC) and of the Trustees and Standard Setting Committee (SSC) of the International Cost Management Standard coalition (ICMS) meeting which was held at RICS Headquarters in Parliament Square.

The theme of the event was called: ‘Next Steps - Digitising Construction’, where I spoke about 4D intelligent BIM.

Thank you so much to Stephen Thompson & Andrew Knight for arranging such an sensational three day event programme that involved everything from walking tours around historic Westminster and Whitehall, the Informal Dinner at the Dickens Inn at St Katherine’s Dock, 8 back to back Seminars, Drinks reception on the roof terrace to Parliament Squares only private commercial building, a Gala dinner at Davy’s Wine Bar in Pall Mall, and finally being treated to a nightcap at the Royal Automobile Club.

It was a pleasure to have met Agnete Skytte, David Dooks, Blane Perrotton, Matthieu Lamy, Alan Muse, Andrew Langridge, Kevin O'Grady, Rasmus Pedersen, Sinimol Noushad, William Doyle, Jaana Suittio, Karl Trus

Thank you so much to Justin Sullivan for your hospitality.

We had the privilege to attend the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors - principal social event of the year. This is a White Tie event called the Sir Christopher Wren Banquet, at the impressive The Worshipful Company of Drapers Hall in the City of London.

What a great way it was to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the ultimate (and my all time favourite) - “Constructors” Death.

We were joined by The Lord Mayor Locum Tenens - Sir Andrew Parmley, and the two Sheriffs of the City of London, Alastair King DL and Andrew Marsden MStJ.

It was great to see the Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants with so many friendly and new faces.

I didn’t want this grand evening to end, thank you to all involved in making this such a special event.

Thank you to David Sheehan, Terry Withers, Tim Fitch, Derek Farrow, Stewart Owen, John Sayers, Kim Tyrrell, Gary Jackson, Rianne Scott , Rob Beales and Luke Birkett.

A very