Our members have included various past Presidents of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Rating and Valuation Association and the Valuers’ Institution.

In the Autumn of 1992 the Lord Mayor of London, visited Chicago and The Board of Governors of Lambda Alpha International proclaimed that the Right Honourable Sir Brian Jenkins should receive the title of Honorary Member in Lambda Alpha International.

The London Chapter subsequently established a series of annual “Keynote” lectures in addition to its luncheon programme. Major speakers included:

• Lord Marshall, former Chairman of British Airways,
• Ronald Spinney, Chairman of developers Hammerson Plc.,
• the Honourable Philip Lader, US Ambassador to the Court of St. James,
• Sir Joe Dwyer, Chairman of Liverpool Vision,
• Chris Gibb, Managing Director of Virgin Trains,
• Simon Blaxland of Goldman Sachs International,
• Professor John Ratcliffe Director and Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment, Dublin Institute of Technology; and
• Dr. Paul Evans from Department of the Environment Transport and Regions.

Please visit our web site where under the heading “Publications” you will find a brief summary of a selection of talks from the 33rd LAI Biennial Congress.

In September/October 1999, the London Chapter hosted the 33rd Biennial Congress in the United Kingdom. Highlights of the event included an awards reception at the City’s historic Reform Club a cruise on the River Thames preceded a formal dinner in the Painted Hall, the Royal Naval College at Greenwich. In that remarkable 17th Century setting our guest of honour the US Ambassador to Great Britain, The Hon. Philip Lader was the speaker. Also attending was Lord Jenkin of Roding, former Secretary of State for the Environment. A description of the event can be seen at February 2000 LAI Keynotes (a .pdf file) with photos and a description of the weekend events.

In spring of 2007, the London Chapter again hosted an LAI Weekend Experience, this time in Ireland: "Greater than Green". A summary of the event can be viewed at: June 2007 LAI Keynotes with speaker presentations summarized at: LAI Irish Spring Weekend Experience.

The London Chapter holds regular lunches every two to three months, originally at the Arts Club and now at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, (the second oldest yacht club in the world). We have a wide range of speakers addressing a broad set of topics: from the future of the car in urban centres, to the policy changing nature of the City of London. These talks are followed by stimulating debates where Chatham House Rules apply (i.e. where discussions are free, frank and confidential).

We also have an evening function every year in early summer at which there is a keynote lecture, the Annual General Meeting (AGM). In the past, these have been held at the House of Commons, in the Palace of Westminster; at the Institute of Directors; and at the Guildhall, historic seat of government for the City of London among other special venues.