RICS cautiously optimistic for the year ahead
SURVEYORS have boosted the West Midlands construction sector by saying they are “cautiously optimistic” about the year ahead.
The prediction came as chartered surveyors from across the region gathered at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole Hotel for the RICS annual gala dinner.
Ian Pitt, RICS West Midlands regional chairman, told guests that although 2009 had been a very challenging year, hopes of recovery were returning.
“Our annual construction dinner was very well attended, particularly given the testing market backdrop,” he said.
“The evening was a great success and it was very pleasing to see so many fellow professionals in attendance. The dinner provided an ideal opportunity for reflection on what has undoubtedly been a turbulent year for the construction industry, but overall, the outlook going forward appeared to be one of cautious optimism.”
Guest speaker at the event was Polar explorer and Mount Everest conqueror Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
The explorer is one of the world’s top inspirational business speakers and he captivated the audience with a superbly illustrated and highly motivating speech about how he set records while battling through the world’s most hostile terrains.
In a potted life history, Sir Ranulph recounted, with considerable wit and humour, how he travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth, diced with death in extreme conditions on countless expeditions and lost fingers to frostbite.
His selection criteria for team members are stark but essential to such amazing feats which have helped raise millions of pounds for charity and earned him honours from the Queen alongside clocking up British world records.
Mr Pitt said that hearing such tales of success in the face of adversity was inspiring.
The event, attended by around 600 RICS members, was sponsored by Faithful & Gould, Franklin & Andrews and Holbrow Brookes.
