Subsidiaries

Archicentre

Mark Stewart, Chief Executive Officer

2009 started off with a great deal of optimism but the effect of the economic downturn had its major effect in the latter part of the year.

Management took corrective steps by deferring spending and in December 2009 we shut down our Repairs and Maintenance arrangement as it was performing below expectation and suffered from quality control issues.

Archicentre took advantage of the Government initiative to train Home Sustainability Assessors to carry out Green Loans inspections. During the year we managed to train about 330 inspectors.

Archicentre was involved with James Hardie and Forest Wood Products in running a series of seminars on renovation, inspection, pests and sustainability. This provided Archicentre some good publicity which we hope will result in improved awareness and increased sales.

In late November 2009, Robert Caulfield handed the management of the Company over to me, as new CEO. It has been a great honour to take on this demanding role. During my first five weeks as CEO I developed and implemented a detailed Business Plan for 2010 and commenced work on the development of a three year plan incorporating a full review of the Company’s operations.

Architecture Media

Ian Close, Director, Architecture Media

Architecture Media’s goal is to provide a broad range of essential information to design professionals in the building industry, and to influence the wider community to improve the quality of the built environment. To this end Architecture Media publishes:

  • Architecture Australia, the official national magazine of the Australian Institute of Architects
  • Houses, aimed at designers of houses and their potential clients
  • Artichoke, a professional design magazine for interior architects and designers
  • Landscape Architecture Australia, the official magazine of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
  • Architectural Product News, providing up-to-date information on building products
  • Selector, providing detailed building product information online

Architecture Media also publishes a wide range of titles in New Zealand through its subsidiary company, AGM Publishing Limited, based in Auckland. AGM titles include Architecture New Zealand, Houses New Zealand, Prodesign, Progressive Building +Info-Link, Landscape Architecture New Zealand, and Urbis.

Architecture Media also hosts the annual Interior Design Awards, in conjunction with the Design Institute of Australia and Designex. In New Zealand, AGM Publishing hosts the annual Best Design Awards and Urbis Designday, both very successful annual events.

2009 was a challenging year for the company on both sides of the Tasman, due to a downturn in advertising revenue, starting at the beginning of the year in New Zealand and towards the end of the year in Australia. Despite this, investment in the digital future of the company increased during the year, leading to the launch in September of a completely revamped version of Selector in Australia and New Zealand and of the online component of Architectural Product News in Australia and Progressive Building + Info-Link in New Zealand.

Despite (or because of) the challenges of a changing and competitive media environment, the global financial crisis and the move away from print towards the digital delivery of content, the future looks bright for Architecture Media on both sides of the Tasman, with a number of new initiatives being developed to complement the existing strong stable of titles for design professionals.

 

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IBL Ltd

Sandra Purser, MD & CEO, IBL Limited

IBL achieved an exceptional financial result for 2009 supported by a solid performance from its trading entities Architects Professional Risk Services, Architects Professional Risks Underwriting Agency, Planned Professional Risk Services and Planned Professional Risks Underwriting Agency.    

Management delivered pbt of $3,159,454 (69% above budget) and pat of $2,337,535 (78% above budget). A dividend of $1.4 million was paid to the Shareholder in March 2010.  

IBL has achieved a significant milestone with approximately 50% of its revenue secured from sources other than architects business through the development of relationships with professional associations and their members i.e. ACEA, AIQS, BDAA.

During 2009 two major strategic objectives were implemented including the launch of our WA branch office and authorisation as a Lloyd’s Coverholder for underwriting PPRUA professional indemnity insurance and managing claims.

Operational highlights include:

  • Implementation of voip and blade server infrastructure
  • Full Underwriting and Claims Assurance from Suncorp audits
  • 600 PI claim files under management
  • Delivered 1396 written contract reviews and 263 risk management seminars
  • Increased general insurance portfolio by 9% to 1,144 policies
  • Increased Professional indemnity portfolio by 4 % to 2,386 policies 
  • Assistance to Institute i.e. BER, CAA, PALS, Continuum, OH&S law

Despite the construction industry continuing to struggle there are signs of improving conditions and the majority of our architect and building construction clients are forecasting fee retention or growth for 2010 and beyond.

IBL will continue to protect member and client assets through its delivery of quality business and personal insurance products and risk management services whilst maintaining the Company’s commercial success.


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