Reading Real Estate Foundation 9th Annual Dinner Raises 43,000
On Thursday the 4th November nearly 400 guests were welcomed to the Reading Real Estate Foundation's 9th Annual Dinner at London's Grange St. Paul's Hotel. The event is one of the largest specialist alumni events in the UK bringing together over 370 guests representing 23 graduation years, together with corporate supporters from the property industry. The black tie evening kicked off with a champagne reception where guests caught up with pals from their university days in the hotel's modern setting next to St. Paul's Cathedral.
Guests were officially welcomed by RREF Trustee and former Chairman, Bryan Laxton, CEO UK of Cushman & Wakefield. After a speech from Professor Ginny Gibson, the new Deputy Dean at Henley Business School and RREF Trustee, the audience welcomed two RREF Bursary recipients to say a few words. They highlighted the impact that the funding from RREF had on their education and subsequent career. RREF board member Charles Graham, Principle at Europa Capital, then thanked the five sponsors of the evening - Doughty Hanson, Europa Capital Partners, Norton Rose, Orion Capital Managers and Patron Capital. The buzz and high spirits continued as guests chatted and enjoyed a delicious three course meal. Executive Director of RREF, Nicole Gillham, pulled 10 winning raffle tickets, giving away Wembley football tickets donated by Lockton Real Estate & Construction and Cushman & Wakefield, rugby tickets at Twickenham and a case of Port donated by Europa Capital, a weekend and spa treatments at the Grange St. Paul's hotel, and two cases of top class wines from Goedhuis & Co Fine Wine Merchants and RREF Trustee and Pioneer, Stephen Musgrave.
Guests then danced the evening away to nine-piece band Rubbersoul, while others retreated to the bar. Richard Jefcoate, an alumnus from 1979, summed up the feelings of many guests: 'Along with the rest of the '79ers, I had an excellent evening - one of the events in the calendar to look forward to each year.'