Rising Stars 2 launch

Round 2 of the Rising Stars programme kicked off with a vibrant evening of networking and debate at the RICS on Tuesday. Mentors and Round 1 participants welcomed eleven new faces and invited them to use the programme to pool their expertise and develop into Uber Urbanists.

The event was introduced on behalf of the RICS by community based regeneration expert Stephen Hill, who explained the action learning philosophy of the programme to build knowledge and capabilities – highlighting the need in times of uncertainity and austerity to draw on the tricks of the trade of regeneration practitioners with delivery experience from previous challenging economic eras.

The pearls of wisdom from mentors Seema Manchanda and Nigel Goodall were well received by the audience with diverse backgrounds across planning, economic development, housing and transport. But it was Rising Stars Round 1 candidate Nnenna Urum Eke who sang the praises of the initiative and urged the new intake to take full advantage of the opportunity to explore the interrelationships between regeneration disciplines, to build their network and to challenge each other.

Following debate about the challenges for the regeneration sector and the scope for creative public private collaboration to unlock regeneration opportunities, the discussion continued over drinks. The energy and enthusiasm for the Rising Stars programme from mentors and candidates alike provided a glimpse of the potential that might be unlocked between the site visit to the Olympic Park on 24 September and completion of the programme.

Liz Willis
LB Greenwich