Last night, Chuka Umunna, MP and Anna Soubry, MP, from Change UK spoke with conviction of their desire to fix UK politics and to do so in a fresh and inclusive way. Questions poured in from the floor, as sympathetic members and guests sought to understand how they could help the two-week
old party.
And so to June 5th. I’m looking forward immensely to welcoming James Harding back to the Club, now editor and co-founder of Tortoise Media after his previous lives at the BBC and The Times. Like Change UK, Tortoise is a brand-new organisation, launched formally in April to build a different kind
of journalism, with in-depth reporting of the stories that drive the news and face-to-face, inclusive “Think-In” engagement with its member base. With its themes ranging from the 100-year life to wealth, belonging, new things and our planet, James will have a vast array of material to dip into as he chooses his messages for us. You can book online or write to Clare.
For our last regular dinner on July 3rd Dame Carolyn McCall, MGGB member and Chief Executive of ITV will be our speaker. With continued Brexit uncertainty, a threatened 9pm watershed for foods high in fat, salt and sugar, summer airtime sales unlikely to match those of 2018’s World Cup and
with big investment programmes ahead in the subscription funded “Britbox” and in data-driven targeted advertising, Carolyn’s account of how ITV is tackling the challenges of hugely disruptive forces will be unmissable. Book here.
Finally, I asked you to pencil Wednesday, 17th July into your diaries for a very special event. Please see the accompanying letter for details.
I look forward to seeing you all at Claridges on June 5th
Best wishes,
Phil Smith
Chair 2018-2019
MGGB