May I first extend my thanks to Andrew Friend and the previous Board for the hard work undertaken on behalf of AR in the last 12 months. Our organisation plays an important role within the out of town sector, the wider property market and has an increasingly influential voice within Whitehall. This would not be the case without the hard work of Andrew and the Board.
I was delighted to be asked to Chair AR and am the first occupier to do so. I am naturally keen to ensure the organisation is relevant to all of those who work within the sector and I will personally encourage more occupiers to join the organisation. Our work for the coming year will continue to focus on political lobbying, research and providing networking opportunities during the various AR events. Due to business commitments, I shall not formally adopt the chairmanship until September. I am grateful to our deputy chairman, Brad Critcher, who will act as temporary chairman until then.
I am very pleased to welcome both Lorcan Mooney of Standard Life Investments and Tim Hayns of the Prudential as new Committee members. We have a very strong committee representing all areas of our sector. I would encourage you all to give feedback to either myself or any of my fellow committee members on your expectations of AR, only then can we ensure we meet the needs of the membership.
2008 is already a challenging year for the sector and I believe these challenges will remain into 2009. Our Autumn conference will focus on the state of the sector with a wide range of speakers providing a detailed view on the current market. Before then, we will have many other events that I would encourage you to attend. I would particularly like to see as many of you as possible at our AGM on 25 September in Leeds. This is a valuable opportunity to address the Board directly on any of our research, lobbying, events or policies we adopt in representation of the sector. In addition, we will have a valuable study tour around Birstall Shopping Park, presentations from at least 3 retailers and an evening of entertainment in Leeds City Centre.
I look forward to working on behalf of the sector for the coming year
Yours sincerely
Philip Bell-Brown
