Annual General Meeting and Presidents’ Evening

Our name change has re-energised us and in his report, Mark Longford, retiring President, highlighted the wide ranging key achievements of the previous 12 months. The title, ‘A Year of Firsts’ captured this period of forward thinking and innovation perfectly.

Prior to the election of officers, Mark announced the initial results of the recent Spring Survey, which will shape our plans for the forthcoming year and enable us to meet our members’ needs more effectively. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. The lucky winners of the prize draw were Mike Ward of LAMP Insurance (two tickets for the 2017 Annual Dinner) and Kim Taylor of Travelers (bottle of champagne).

2020 will be in four years’ time and at the AGM, we saw the success of our 2020 Vision project as Mark, one of its founders, presented the chain of office to Richard Cohen, incoming President. Richard was one of the 2020 group’s first alumni, likewise Zoe Thomas, incoming Deputy President and several other council members.

Following his election, Richard announced his plans to build on the achievements of the last year, make this an even better one, and to establish Sussex firmly on the map as a Centre of CII Excellence, with help from council and our teams.

After the short formalities of the AGM, our retiring and new Presidents hosted a Presidents’ Evening, where our members met them both informally over drinks and a buffet. This was a happy event and no doubt the start of a new tradition.

We know Mark will enjoy the bottle of Sussex sparkling wine which we presented him as a very apt token of our appreciation, and we wish him well in his new life away from council. We are delighted that he will still be supporting us from a distance and as a member of our Community team.

Welcome and congratulations to Richard and Zoe as they take up their new roles and lead us nearer towards the year 2020 as a vibrant and thriving local institute.