The Whitehall Group

Founded in 2014, The Whitehall Group, a forum of the Cambridge University Land Society continues to go from strength to strength. The Whitehall Group, is an influential London-based policy and networking group for (predominately) Cambridge University graduates, connected to the Department of Land Economy in particular. We count amongst our members and supporters current and former Ministers, Diplomats and senior business executives. The Whitehall Group hosts small, intimate lunches and dinners in London with a carefully selected group of FTSE CEOs, academics, politicians and diplomats to discuss and debate issues of the day. Membership to the Whitehall Group is corporate and allows members to alternate with non-Cambridge colleagues. Members are also encouraged to invite a guest to join them at events when capacity allows. The forum allows members and their guests to meet and discuss matters that are outside of their business/professional lives.

Chaired by Colm Lauder, the Whitehall Group organises a wide range of events covering macro-economic business and social issues. Past speakers have included Ambassadors, Ministers, Commissioners, leading academics and journalists. Topics have included Foreign and European policy; Education; Social Mobility; Infrastructure; Health; the Economy; Housing; Climate Change; Drugs; Transport; Conservation and Heritage; Mental Health; Devolution; Science and Technology; the Middle East, Russia and Belarus.

This year’s speakers have included –Clive Betts MP, British Labour Party politician and former economist

Subject: “The future of UK urban planning, regional development and Labour’s view on addressing the wider housing shortage”

David McAllister, MEP

Subject: “The Anglo-German relations - new year perspectives from the CDU” Roelof Opperman, Partner - Co-Head of Europe, Fifth Wall Subject: “Real Estate’s Climate Problem and Technology Solution”

Lord Hannay of Chiswick GCMG former member of the International Relations and Defence Committee, House of Lords Subject: “Is the Ukraine crisis driving Europe closer together?”

Ambassador Dr. Ferenc Kumin, Hungarian Ambassador to the Court of St. James Subject: “The current situation in Hungary and an insight on the politics surrounding the recent election”

Sir Tony Brenton KCMG, British Diplomat and formerly British Ambassador to Russia Subject: “The Ukraine War: why and whither?”

Lord Stephen Greenhalgh, Minister of State (Minister for Building Safety and Fire)

Subject: “The ongoing cladding crisis impacting the residential property sector and retrofitting challenges to improve energy e ciencies of the UK’s housing stock.

Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS, Chair of the Adaption Committee on the CCC

Subject: “Climate Risk and UK Climate Policy Evolution post COP26”

Sir Laurie Bristow KCMG, former British Ambassador to Afghanistan

Subject: “Lessons from Afghanistan as we assess Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”

Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman KCMG, CBE, PC, FBA, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London

Subject: “Russo-Ukraine War”

Darren Baxter, Housing Policy and Partnerships Manager, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Subject: “The current housing crisis together with income and inflation challenges”

The Whitehall Lecture Series

The 10th Whitehall Lecture - ‘Chagos: The Last British Colony in Africa - A Short History of Colonialism, a Modern Crime Against Humanity’ was presented by Professor Professor Philippe Sands QC, Professor of Laws and Director of the Centre on International Courts and Tribunals, University College London. Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign A airs Commentator, The Financial Times, London moderated a panel discussion which followed the lecture. Panel members included Dr Colin Samson, Professor of Sociology and Director of American Studies, University of Essex; Dr. Jeanne Morefield, Associate Professor of Political Theory, University of Oxford; Fellow Quincy Institute, Washington D.C.; Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Senator William McMaster Chair in Global Human Rights, McMaster University, Ontario.

A recording of this Whitehall Lecture is available to view via the YouTube channel on the Cambridge University Land Society (CULS) website or via the link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=t2eKawaBIqQ

All lectures in the Whitehall Lecture series are published as occasional papers and copies can be found on the CULS website at www.culandsoc. com (see ‘Articles’ Tab).

Planned forthcoming events for 2022/ 2023

Details for all future Whitehall Group events are included on the CULS events planner towards the end of this magazine.

If you would like further information on the Whitehall Group please contact Fiona Jones, Group Secretary (fionajones.wg@culandsoc.com).