We were delighted to be joined by many R&B Housebuilder Forum members at the launch of the Regional Building Foundation (RBF) at St Giles House in Dorset on 10 September. The occasion brought together more than 140 landowners, regional builders, materials suppliers, funders and built environment professionals in total, marking the launch of the Hampshire Basin forum, the first of 14 regional forums planned across the country. The event was hosted by the Earl of Shaftesbury and the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.
Guests began with a guided tour of Wyatt Homes' Rivers Edge development in nearby Wimborne to see what good place building looks like in practice, before gathering at St Giles House for an afternoon of presentations and talks followed by a drinks and canapé reception. A particular highlight was a talk given by Forum member Georgina Hammond of Beau Property in Tunbridge Wells, on how SME housebuilders can engage with the Regional Building Foundation and what getting involved with the new regional forums could mean for their business.
The evening closed with the lighting of the ceremonial bronze RBF torch by Forum Founder Edwin de Silva, who sits on the Board of the Regional Building Foundation alongside Ben Bolgar, Executive Director at The King's Foundation. The lighting symbolised the start of a new chapter for place-based building and the handover to the next regional forum, launching in Kent in January.
The Hampshire Basin launch was just the beginning. As the forums roll out across the country, joining as a member will give you access to the national and regional network, invitations to your local Regional Forum, access to the RBF Knowledge Exchange sessions and the Knowledge Hub, as well as priority invitations to RBF events. Company membership extends this to up to three named representatives from your organisation, along with eligibility to bring projects forward through the Enabling Programme. If you previously registered for pre-membership, your £250 fee will be credited against your first year, so if you have yet to convert that into full membership, now is the time.
You can find full details and information on how to register here.
