Member company representatives, together with special guests and industry leaders from around the globe – just short of 1,100 in total – gathered at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London on April 24th. Attendees also included associates from key global partners, trade associations and government departments.
Also present at the lunch were members of the CBA’s Future Council, a forum dedicated to supporting young people across the chemical industry.
In addition to a fabulous meal and speeches by the CBA’s Chair Richard Gilkes and CEO Tim Doggett, guests were treated to a performance by special guest speaker Dara Ó Briain.
Fundraising feast
As is customary at the lunch, fundraising in aid of a nominated charity took place. The beneficiary for 2024, as nominated by the CBA Chair, was Breathe Arts Health Research (Breathe). The social enterprise delivers diverse programmes across a range of art forms, looking to meet specific clinical and wellbeing needs.
Lydia Hayes, Head of Development and Interim Co-Director at Breathe, spoke about the key support it provides, sharing a moving film featuring its impactful work. An incredible £25,999.55 was raised for the charity on the day which included a silent auction.
Talking about the event, she said: “On behalf of all the Team at Breathe Arts Health Research, a HUGE thank you to all the staff, members and guests of the Chemical Business Association for your generosity and support at the Annual Lunch last week. With your support we are delighted to have raised an AMAZING amount, helping us support more children and young people through our Breathe Magic programme.”
Richard Gilkes, CBA Chair and CEO of Stort Group added: “It has been my privilege to serve as the CBA Chair over the past year which marked our Association’s milestone 100th Anniversary. I am incredibly proud to be a part of an exciting and promising industry, which is not only a vital contributor to the UK’s economy, continuing to innovate and grow despite ongoing challenges, but which recognises its people as its most valuable asset.”
Commenting on the lunch, CBA CEO Tim Doggett said: “It was my privilege and honour to welcome so many people to this year’s Annual Lunch, better known to many as “Floggers”! Since we were last gathered for this truly special and unique event, it has been yet another very busy and exciting 12 months for the CBA, as we not only celebrated our Centenary year, but we also continued to grow and develop our Association.”
Sponsors of the 2024 Annual Lunch included 2M Group, Airedale Group, Alfa Chemicals, Arpadis UK Ltd, Barrettine Group, Biachem Ltd, Bowker Group, Brenntag UK & Ireland, CHEMUK 2024, Exolum Terminals Ltd, Grace Overseas, H W Coates, Meade-King Robinson Ltd, Navigator Terminals, Stort Group, Hanson Logistics, and Tennants Distribution.
Image credit: CBA