The RAC Club, London

More than 150 SPR members – over a quarter of the Society – enjoyed the SPR’s 30th Annual Dinner in the elegant surroundings of the RAC Club in London’s Pall Mall, the first time this venue had hosted the event.

The dinner – which was kindly sponsored by Cobalt Recruitment and Oxford Economics – included speeches by outgoing chair Vanessa Muscarà and new chair Kiran Raichura. Vanessa described the highlights of a busy year that included the 30th Anniversary Conference and launching the new SPR website, while Kiran explained the theory behind the choice of this year’s chosen charity for the dinner raffle – The END Fund.  The aim was to identify a charity with a big potential impact in an area receiving little attention from other charities.

The END Fund is a leader in the global health movement to tackle neglected tropical diseases, and works collaboratively with committed partners, including global health organizations, that aim to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people.  Due to the generosity of the diners – and of the companies who donated some fantastic prizes, including Fortnum and Mason hampers and an Echo Dot – the raffle raised £1,266 for the charity.

The dinner also featured a provocative speech by Paul Thomas, the BBC Wales ‘Business Doctor.’ Interacting with the audience on a number of occasions, Dr Thomas suggested that business leaders need a human touch and a willingness to be an integral part of the team – something that many find difficult.  He also proposed that when trying to win over a group of employees, one should on no account be caught drinking from one of their personal mugs.

         

Tim Horsey