Dear Members,
Marketing Group of Great Britain, 2020 – 21 Season
Following on from my letter in July, I am delighted to be writing again to share a few more details about plans for next season, including our first event in September.
As soon as it is safe to do so we will return to Claridges, but for the time being we will plan for virtual events, and this will certainly be the case in September. However, as I set out previously, I would like to create an environment that is a little closer to that of being together physically in Mayfair with the opportunity to connect with fellow members, renew acquaintances and make new connections. As such we will move to the Zoom platform where we will be able to see each other, use breakout rooms and chat. Small steps, and Black Tie will be purely optional!
My plan for the season is to celebrate the great people of marketing through the industries we work in and influence and also to hear from leaders who are central to the major events that are impacting our lives today.
The Season will start on the 9th of September where we will be joined by Alison Rose, the Group CEO of the recently renamed NatWest Group. Having worked for the bank for almost three decades Alison is perfectly placed to lead the former Royal Bank of Scotland in the next stage of its journey following the financial crisis. Alison is the first female CEO of a major UK lender and was also the author of the influential Rose Review so can certainty speak with authority on issues of diversity and inclusion.
Alison will be interviewed by Philip Collins, the Times columnist, author and former speech writer to Tony Blair. We will certainly be in good company.
In October, ahead of the US Elections, we will hear from “our man in Washington,” BBC correspondent Jon Sopel in what I am sure will be a fascinating insight in to the Trump White House and the potential outcomes of the election. During the rest of the season we will be joined by Sir Jeremy Farrar OBE, Director of the Wellcome Trust and a leading adviser to the Government as part of the Vaccine Task Force, John Allen, Chairman of Tesco and the man overseeing the Covid-19 recovery commission, Alison Britain, CEO of Whitbread and Dame Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. Details on the rest of the speaker programme will follow in the coming months.
Club subscriptions are once again £300 + VAT for members, and £200 +VAT for Emeritus members. Subs are due in August and invoices will be sent via the website and email for immediate payment. Thank you to all of you who have offered your support thus far and for your continued loyalty to the MGGB. A particular thank you of course to the amazing Clare Russell who is holding it all together in these turbulent times. Could you help Clare in checking your biog is up to date on the website. New members please let Clare have a photo and short biog which she will add to the website. The new Directory will be printed once we are all back at Claridges.
The September dinner is now available to book online, guests are of course very welcome. We will be starting at 7pm, a little earlier than our previous virtual events, so we can catch up with each other before the formal part of the evening begins.
I look forward to seeing you on the 9th September, to hear from Alison, and to renew some connections after the summer break.
My best wishes to you and your family for an excellent summer.
With all good wishes,
Matt Barwell
Chair, The Marketing Group of GB