Annual Report - Chatham House

Victor Bulmer-Thomas, who reports in detail elsewhere.
It is particularly gratifying to see the notable progress
that has resulted from the appointment of a dedicated
Director of Development.
Over the past year, Chatham House has maintained its
reputation for attracting first-class speakers on an
eclectic range of subjects. We have welcomed heads
of state, government ministers, politicians, business
leaders, journalists and academics from Britain and
around the world to 100 general meetings. They have
included President Mbeki of South Africa; President
Kucan of Slovenia; President Mesic of Croatia; Prime
Minister Lipponen of Finland; President Adamkus of
Lithuania; Lord Robertson, Secretary-General of NATO;
the Hon Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary of Hong Kong;
the Rt Hon Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth
Secretary-General; and no fewer than seven overseas
foreign ministers. In July, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
chose Chatham House as the platform for his first
major speech outside parliament as Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. He was
followed, in October, by the Secretary of State for
Trade and Industry, the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP.
The Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, Leader of the
Opposition, addressed the Institute in January.
Significantly, ten separate meetings on the
international response to global terrorism were
arranged in the aftermath of 11 September.
^
As ever, the scope and speed of progress are dictated by
financial standing. Needless to say, the vital task of
improving the Institute’s finances commands relentless
attention. If we are able, as planned, to come close to
´
break-even in the current financial year, a significant
turnaround will have been achieved.
As you will see from the Director’s report, the Institute
is committed, within its means, to an energetic
programme of growth and innovation, designed to
deliver greater value to a wider membership. The last
12 months have seen the Chatham House team become
galvanized under effective new leadership, and I have
every confidence that we will succeed in this objective.
My thanks go to Victor Bulmer-Thomas and his staff for
their continued dedication to the best interests of
Chatham House. I must also record my appreciation for
the support and guidance of my fellow Council members.
The principal assets of this Institute are its people.
Marshall of Knightsbridge
BACKGROUND: The Rt Hon John Prescott MP, Deputy Prime Minister,
HE Thabo Mbeki and Lord Marshall at the June 2001 general meeting held
at the House of Commons.
FOREGROUND: The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP and Lord Marshall.
The Royal Institute of International Affairs — Annual Report 2001-2002 1