Hello everyone. I would like to introduce myself as President of the Institute of Preston and Blackpool.

It was with great pleasure that I accepted this role in April 2020, having been a council member for a number of years and although I have taken on this role in very strange times, I will do my best to make a difference and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead.

I will continue my joint role as Education secretary, alongside Michelle Harness who has helped greatly over the past couple of years arrange some high quality lectures for our CII members. Michelle and I are excited to work together again with various people in arranging further quality lectures over the coming months, albeit these will likely take place online.

The annual dinner would normally take place in October, however, given the current situation, this is unlikely to take place this year. Please do not worry though…..Debbie Airey and Anne Haworth will bring the dinner back in 2021 with a bang!