ibp News

The past year has thrust construction and housing into the public consciousness like never before, following the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. From design, engineering, build quality, and health and safety, to building control, resident engagement and housing management, the disaster has touched all parts of the built environment sector.Specialist journalism has played a pivotal role in investigating the tragedy, exploring the implications for readers and in scrutinising and holding those involved to account.

Meanwhile, the #MeToo movement and the FT’s President’s Club investigation have given cause to examine the sectors we write about and the media industry itself. Publications and communication professionals have been looking in the mirror and considering what action they can take to stamp out sexism and promote inclusivity.

Against this backdrop of challenge, change and readjustment, IBP has continued to bring people across the built environment together, to support networks, support careers and promote debate about the future.

The IBP Communication and PR Awards continued to flourish, highlighting outstanding campaigns, teams and individuals. Over eighty editors, journalists, communication professionals and guests gathered to celebrate the winners and listen to Young Journalist of the Year Katherine Smale, as she developed her opening remarks on “Engineering a career change” – from trainee engineer to award winning young journalist on New Civil Engineer. Young Communicator of the Year (2017) Declan Bennet with the London Communications Agency particularly wowed the judges, as did Goodfellow Communications, who took the Best PR Consultancy Team awards after demonstrating remarkable growth.

The IBP Journalism Awards opened with a sobering, moment-in-time speech from Telegraph Group executive director and Conservative Peer Lord Black. The former Press Complaints Commission director spoke from the heart about the importance of press freedom and the threats, costs and opportunities ahead. The awards were once again judged by 28 respected expert judges, and highlighted the quality and value of committed, long-term investigative journalism, that is well represented in the built environment B2B titles and ‘embraced’ by the National media.

Looking forward, the Futures Group is planning to approach all members with a two-minute survey of what topics they want to see covered by future sessions. Still very much on the agenda is a searching session looking at the #MeToo movement, asking how trade publications can balance scrutiny with supporting their readers and the role of communicators in championing positive change. Past sessions have featured leading speakers from the FT, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal and others for the benefit of members.

IBP remains committed to bringing people together to share ideas and create outstanding content. The board is exploring the exciting possibilities for the future, including reaching out to built environment specialist writers in the national and regional media through our association with News Media UK and the Society of Editors, and continuing to evolve our events.

We always want to hear from members about what they find valuable and what they would like IBP to provide, so please keep an eye out for the Futures Group survey, due shortly.

I thank warmly all board members for giving their valuable time to attend meetings and discuss the IBP’s present activities and future direction.

I also thank members for entering the IBP Journalism Awards and the Communication and PR Awards and our sponsors and partners. I look forward to seeing you at our next events.

Emma Maier
President
Editor-in-chief, Inside Housing

Alex Catto, an appreciation

by Graham Ridout, former investigative journalist on Contract Journal and Building magazine

Alex Catto, a long-standing editor of Contract Journal and one of the most influential journalists of the 1980s was laid to rest on 8 May, aged 78. He presided over Contract Journal during the halcyon days of construction and property journalism when eight weekly news titles vied competitively against one another and a further 20 or so monthly and less frequent titles doing battle for readers and advertisers.

Both Alex’s father and grandfather were journalists and he followed in their footsteps and was fiercely protective over maintaining editorial and ethical standards. Of Highland stock, his height and girth made him a formidable figure. This coupled with a perceptive grasp of detail and, at times, a caustic way of expressing an opinion if he thought somebody was being economical with the truth.

As an editor, he was steadfastly loyal and highly supportive of his staff. And at the end of the day, he enjoyed nothing more than having a drink with colleagues and chatting about all things under the sun, but especially his beloved Crystal Palace football club.

During his tenure, CJ pioneered a series of tests during which major manufacturers’ earthmoving machines were pitched against one-another in various performance tests. At the time, it was a risky strategy as the manufacturers were major advertisers and a poor showing could be costly in advertising revenue to the journal. However, Alex’s dedication to accurate, objective reporting ensured no manufacturer had grounds for complaint.

Honorary IBP Vice President Peter Bill (President 1992-96 and 1998-2000) entered journalism under Alex’s reign at CJ. He recalls: “I can see him now at his desk half hidden behind toppling stacks of paper. Sat there like a benign owl, dispensing wisecracks, anecdotes and occasional shafts of wisdom. He enjoyed holding court at news meetings. He radiated bonhomie, but was capable of withering sarcasm, but delivered from a good heart.” After leaving CJ, Alex settled in Hastings with wife Shona and pursued a freelance career editing several environmental magazines.

Contract Journal ‘s proud 130-year history ended in 2009 when publisher Reed Business Press closed the magazine. The economic fall-out of 2008 and a seismic shift in the way projects were procured proved fatal. CJ made its name by employing a handful of dedicated employees whose job was to garner information about the major contracts that were about to be let or had recently been awarded. This provided valuable information to suppliers and subcontractors about possible work opportunities. European Union legislation requiring contacts over a specified value to be advertised the European Journal, the entry of a number of specialised information providers, and growing power of the internet provided the coup de gras.

In a year in which the UK has faced unprecedented political turmoil and considerable uncertainty, the role of journalism has arguably been even more important than usual.

For the specialist press covering the built environment, this has heightened the need to help readers navigate the shifting political sands and business consequences. PR and communications professionals in the field have needed strong networks, relationships and adaptability.

In this context, the IBP’s role in bringing people together, fostering members’ careers and facilitating debate are of great value.

The past 12 months saw the most successful IBP PR and Communication Awards – the largest to date, and with an inspiring set of winners. Sophie Walker, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, spoke passionately about the need for greater equality and called on journalists and PR professionals to do more to raise its importance.

The IBP Journalism Awards, too, highlighted the best of the sector, as judged by a panel of highly respected journalists and industry experts. With a second-time lucky speech from former City planner Peter Rees Wynne (after he didn’t make it the previous year), the awards were an excellent way to finish the year.

The Futures Group, which puts on forward-looking events for IBP members to network and discuss the future of journalism and communications, was rebooted this year. The programme included a fascinating debate on political reporting in the age of ‘fake news’ featuring leading journalists from the FT and Buzzfeed UK, a valuable behind-the-scenes look at digital journalism at the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal and an excellent panel on investigative journalism.

As the economic and political uncertainty continues, the IBP strives to put on events that members will find beneficial and bring people together to debate and share ideas. We always want to hear from members about what they would like IBP to provide.

I thank warmly all board members for giving their valuable time to attend meetings and discuss the IBP’s present activities and future direction.

I also thank members for entering the IBP Journalism Awards and the PR and Communication Awards and look forward to seeing you at our next events.