When the CIOB was established in Victorian London, our founding members met in London's coffee houses to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry.

Today, Costa Coffee has partnered with us to help recreate that experience. The CIOB is holding a series of 'Meaningful Conversations' on a whole variety of subjects - practical, theoretical and esoteric.

We hope to engage members and guests in conversations and debates that take us beyond our daily job roles, touching not only on global built environmental issues, but also topics relating to the economy and society as a whole.

The Meaningful Conversations are held at Costa Coffee, Bow Bells House, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU. The nearest Tube station is Bank. To register interest, email ciobevents@ciob.org.uk. Places are limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Past Speakers

(Click on the images to watch the highlights)

10 May 2011: Maxwell Hutchinson (FCIOB), Holland, Hannen & Cubbits (video coming soon)Our third Meaningful Conversation was with author, broadcaster, well-known architect, and now Chairman of Holland, Hannen & Cubitts, Maxwell Hutchinson. You may know Maxwell from his regular slots on BBC Radio London and his TV broadcasts including, 'Demolition Detectives' (Channel 4) and 'How to Rescue a House' (BBC2). As Past President of RIBA and past Vice Chairman of the CIC, Maxwell is well qualified to discuss his conversation topic 'The Living Past and its place in the Built Environment of the Future'.

17 November 2010: Sir David King
Sir David King is the former Chief Scientific Adviser to Government and was Head of the Government Office for Science from October 2000 to December 2007. In that time, he raised the profile of the need for governments to act on climate change and was instrumental in creating the new £1bn Energy Technologies Institute. Sir David's theme for 'Meaningful Conversations' is 'Science, Technology, Research and Innovation in the Built Environment, in respect of achieving 2050 carbon targets'.

12 October 2010: Buelah Keane, Marks & Spencer
Beulah Keane is Marks & Spencer's Sustainable Construction Project Manager, working on 'Plan A'. It is Marks & Spencer's aim to become "the world's most sustainable major retailer working to combat climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable raw materials, trade ethically and help our customers to lead healthier lifestyles."