culs Forums
The Whitehall Group
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Colm Lauder Goodbody Whitehall Group Co-Chair
James Lai CallisonRTKL Whitehall Group Co-Chair
Cambridge University Land Society
he Whitehall Group, which was set up three years ago by Douglas Blausten, is the policy discussion forum of CULS and is open to Cambridge alumni and those who are connected with the University of Cambridge. It has over 30 members covering a wide range of degree disciplines. The Whitehall Group holds about 25 events a year in London. These are lunches, dinners and one or two major Whitehall Lectures. It is open to all members of CULS and other Cambridge graduates working in relevant fields. Membership is sponsorship based and members are able to alternate with nonCambridge colleagues and invite guests when capacity allows.
Since its creation it has served over 900 meals and had approximately 1000 people register for the seven lectures so far. All the lectures are published and are available online via the website. The lecture given by Professor Chris Ham, CBE Chief Executive of the King’s Fund in December 2015 on ‘The Future of the NHS’ has been extensively quoted and viewed featuring on twitter and other social media through the King’s Fund. In May of this year we held the inaugural UK Economy Dinner Debate with a panel of esteemed economists and commentators joining members and former speakers to debate the fast evolving dynamics of the UK economy after last year’s Brexit vote.
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The year was a year of change for the Whitehall Forum, with our founding Chairman, Douglas Blausten, retiring from the busy schedule of events. We are most grateful for all of Douglas’ efforts with the WG and the ongoing success of the forum is a legacy to be proud of. Colm Lauder and James Lai, both existing Steering Committee members, have taken on the role of leading the group in 2017/8 and have put together an interesting series of events for the term. We have an active Steering Committee – Colm Lauder, Goodbody (Co-Chairman); James Lai, CallisonRTKL (CoChairman); Angus Fell, Lazard & Co. Ltd; Lauren Fendick, Taylor Wessing; Emma Fletcher, SmithsonHill; Deian Rhys, Simmons & Simmons LLP, Josh Singer, J Safra Real Estate 2017