An evening of celebration in a momentous year

A gala dinner on the evening of 10 October at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, attended by some 630 guests, saw the presentation of 12 Healthcare Estates IHEEM Awards celebrating excellence and innovation, and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The latter, presented by the Institute’s CEO, Pete Sellars – who praised the winner’s ‘unwavering commitment to our profession and our Institute’ – went to a highly experienced industry professional and ‘engineer of international renown’ who currently chairs IHEEM’s Hong Kong Branch. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports.

Before the presentation of the awards, which took place in the Ballroom at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester’s Oxford Street, around 630 guests from across the healthcare engineering and estate management world, and counterparts from the architectural and construction supply chain, enjoyed drinks at a reception held in the hotel’s Whitworth Room. Here, they were able to renew acquaintances and network with other guests after what had been a busy and well-attended first day of this year’s Healthcare Estates conference and exhibition. During the drinks and the subsequent dinner, guests were entertained in style by solo singer, guitarist, and piano player, Daisy Kate, who – among her credits – has performed at Old Trafford and The AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester as pre- and post-match entertainment for Champions League Football and Rugby Union matches.

Following the drinks reception, guests took their seats for the dinner and awards, and the evening’s host and Master of Ceremonies, Andy Powell, welcomed all present, noting that it was ‘good to be back here at this wonderful venue, particularly in this special year when IHEEM celebrates its 80th anniversary’. He said: “Tonight is a celebration of all the hard work, dedication, innovation, and  determination of those who work in the healthcare estates sector. We had a record number of entries for this year’s awards, and congratulations go to all of those on the shortlists. Good luck to all of you for later in the evening when the winners are announced.”