Article 25’s NextGen launch hailed “brilliant and inspiring” by RIBA Chair and Article 25 founder, Jack Pringle
With over 70 “NextGeners” from across the built environment in attendance, the NextGen Launch event - co-hosted by More Than a Building member Rolton - was hailed as “brilliant and inspiring” by Jack Pringle, Chair of RIBA and founder of Article 25. Jack joined the panel alongside Peter Rolton (Chairman of Rolton Group), Sarah Elliott (Head of Construction at Wedlake Bell), Toby Pear (Senior Architect at Article 25), Lidia Guerra (Senior Engineer and Partner at Max Fordham LLP), as well as NextGen board members Anna Helliar (Architect at Arup) and Alla Elmahadi (Architect at BGY).
The evening provided a vibrant and invaluable opportunity for emerging leaders in architecture, engineering, development and construction to connect. Young professionals engaged in insightful discussions with seasoned experts, gaining wisdom from decades of experience while also sharing meaningful conversations with peers navigating similar challenges and successes.
Attendees included employees from organisations including Rolton (who were proud to sponsor the event), Gardiner & Theobald, Agilité, Opera, Purcell, Ridge, Sheppard Robson, Price & Myers, and many more.
Catch a glimpse of the event in the video below.
Article 25’s NextGen event series is just one of the many benefits of More Than a Building Membership. Born from discussions between Article 25’s Chief Executive, Gemma Holding, and senior leaders across the built environment, the NextGen Board was established - composed entirely of professionals who themselves are all young, next generation leaders.
Dedicated to the success of this project and holding a guttural understanding of what the next generation needs, they consist of: Scarlett Doyle (Executive Officer, Rolton), Anna Helliar (Architect, Arup), Deima Ambrazaityte (Part II Architectural Assistant, Studio Pringle), and Alla Elmahadi (Architect, BGY). All with a focus on ensuring that NextGen would foster a vibrant, multi-disciplinary community focused on supporting and learning from others, boosting each other’s confidence and understanding across the built environment.
Speaking on the success of the launch, Article 25’s Chief Executive, Gemma Holding says: “Our first NextGen event allowed us to bring together our impressive network of More Than a Building Members to allow for a community to grow, bottom-up, focused on what matters most to our future leaders. This event focused on Specialist Education Design, through Article 25’s award winning Collège Amadou Hampaté Bâ project in Niamey, Niger. To have our first event so well attended; so well received is an absolute credit to our NextGen Board who have worked tremendously hard to ensure the event ran smoothly.”
Scarlett Doyle, NextGen board member and Executive Officer, Rolton, added: “The first event was a great success! It brought together people from a wide range of organisations, and everyone was genuinely engaged and seemed to really enjoy it. It’s a fantastic platform that highlights how much NextGen cares – and a brilliant space for people to connect.”
All eyes now turn to the next NextGen event on 12th June, in partnership with Arup, exploring the theme: Designing for social impact: How our work shapes society with the NextGen Board already in conversations organising and planning the event, looking to build on the momentum and success of last Monday.
Anna Helliar, NextGen board member and Architect at Arup, takes this in mind to highlight that as these quarterly events develop: “NextGen’s speakers and topics [are able] to challenge conventional thinking, inspire us to break free from echo chambers, and drive thought leadership and fresh perspectives.”
The ability to unlock this is only possible through the More Than a Building members and their dedicated staff.
Since the event, More Than a Building has looked to develop and grow its network amongst senior-level business leaders. Speaking at the event, Jack Pringle brought this movement full circle, calling on business leaders across the built environment “to join the movement and be part of a new era in the construction industry.”
Looking to the future, whether you’re an aspiring architect or a seasoned engineer, NextGen offers the platform to grow, learn and lead.
For those who missed out on the last event, or your organisation is not currently a Member, take a look on our website here to understand how More Than a Building works; from these NextGen Events to senior level networking for business leaders across the built environment the membership, importantly, supports the vital work of Article 25.
If you are a More Than a Building member who has a project critical to social impact and would like to be featured in this or a future event, then please contact events@article-25.org
