The principal guest speaker at the 170th anniversary annual dinner of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) annual dinner at the Guildhall, London, in February was Michael Portillo.

In the long tradition of this event a variety of distinguished guests, fellows and members attended, including ambassadors from China, Canada, Ireland, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

This year\'s Presidents Medal was awarded to Sir Peter Gershon, CBE, for his outstanding commitment to and excellence in construction. Sir Peter, chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce, is currently heading the Government\'s nationally publicised public service efficiency review.

Colin Busby, CIOB President, said in his address: "Sir Peter\'s impact across the whole of government procurement has been significant and not least towards our industry.

"The introduction of the Gateway Process will be of enormous benefit to us. The construction industry image suffers the most when the government does not procure its construction projects properly. The work being done by the OCG to have construction competent clients as the procurers can only be to the good of our industry. While we think of the public sector as one client it is in fact several hundred."

Since last years Annual Dinner the CIOB has continued to promote excellence in construction on a global scale. Since the inception three years ago of international membership there has been a 40% growth, with the establishment of five offices outside the UK. They are in Beijing, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney.

Over the past 12 months the CIOB has also set up the Association for Building Conservation Management (ABCM) that gives a home to those involved in making building conservation happen, providing another way in which members can access knowledge and participate in debate with fellow construction practitioners.

With questions continuing to be asked about education within the industry, the CIOB\'s Presidential Commission is now in a comprehensive stage of research that aims to provide solutions and a way forward.

The CIOB is continuing with its push towards nationally improving site conditions. Colin Busby said: "The CIOB is demanding better site conditions and will be enforcing this message with a Code of Practice.

"It is our intention that clients, construction managers and visitors to sites will use a simple guide to what should be expected. This initiative has developed from our original idea to write a guide for visitors to sites and will now advance in collaboration with Constructing Excellence.""