Objective
The Infected Blood Inquiry started in 2018 after many years of campaigning by those affected, so it was well-understood that the unveiling of the final outcome would be an emotive experience for the hundreds of victims attending.
The role of Central Hall Westminster and its team was therefore to provide a supportive platform for the long-awaited report to be delivered, which has subsequently called for a range of measures, including immediate compensation, public memorials and lessons to be learned in medicine, government and the civil service.
A host venue would need to have the capacity to house all 1,300 participants (families, friends and those who wished to attend in person) and provide full AV and technical support so that inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff could be heard clearly when reading the report and so that accompanying visuals would be presented effectively.
As the inquiry had been on the news agenda for media outlets, provisions for 200 members of the UK’s media who would broadcast updates from the centre pre- and post-publishing would also need to be made.
With the likelihood that a large number of attendees and members of the press covering the event would want access to the report as soon as it was available online, Central Hall Westminster would need to ensure bandwidth and server access were sufficient to support multiple downloads. A live stream would be broadcast to YouTube and press would be broadcasting from the site too so additional AV support would be required.
With the event taking place over several hours, there was also a requirement for refreshments and a light lunch for all participants.
Execution
As one of central London’s largest conference and events centres, with a capacity of 2,000 in the Great Hall and a recently upgraded state-of-the-art PA system and audio solution, Central Hall Westminster was an ideal venue for an event of this magnitude.
The historic venue has a respected track record in holding events of this gravitas – particularly where a social injustice has taken place. It was the host venue for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in 2002 and 2003. And more than 100 years ago, it was the venue for the RMS Lusitania Inquiry Wreck Commissioners’ Court in 1915.
For the publication day of the Report for the Infected Blood Inquiry, the team at Central Hall Westminster were therefore primed well ahead to support with pragmatism and sensitivity.
The Great Hall was set out to seat 1,300 attendees who were welcomed in from 8am on 20 May. The stage area within the space provided a platform from which Sir Brian Langstaff would deliver his remarks where he highlighted how lives, dreams, friendships, families and finances had been destroyed as a result of the “life-shattering” scandal.
The organisers could feel confident that these remarks, followed by the airing of a poignant audio/visual memorial and a live performance by a string quartet, titled Reflections to honour the victims, would be clearly heard thanks to the recent upgrade of the audio system in the Great Hall. This major improvement to the PA system and audio upgrade was led by Central Hall Westminster’s AV partner White Light in spring 2024 and has transformed the acoustics in the flagship space.
Media were provided with a separate space to the rear of the building so they could report directly from the inquiry without interrupting the flow of the main event. Media space included a press conference room and multiple meeting rooms to host journalists and editing suites. So that other attendees – including family and friends of those affected – had space and quiet to absorb the report findings and Reflections, a block of seats was reserved for media where they could watch everything from a fourth-floor balcony in the Great Hall.
The first two volumes of the inquiry report were made available under embargo for those at the venue at 8am, before it was published on the Inquiry website at 12.30pm. Knowing that the majority of attendees would be eager to download and read the report immediately, Central Hall Westminster ensured they would be able to access easily by installing an additional 80 servers for the day of the inquiry. This additional bandwidth allowed swift and immediate access. It could also support the live streaming of the event on a dedicated YouTube channel.
Mindful that there would be a long period of time for reading of the reports, Central Hall Westminster provided tea, coffee and biscuits in the Lecture Hall, Library and Aldersgate rooms throughout the day to all participants. The venue’s F&B partner Green & Fortune used the same space to serve a light salad lunch to all 1,300 participants and 200 members of the media before the report reading.
Tea, coffee and sandwiches were also provided to members of the crew working on the event.
Results
The publication of the report was an historical and poignant occasion and Central Hall Westminster’s team was confident it had provided the literal and metaphorical space for it to be delivered.
Following the publication of the report Art Lewry, founder and CEO of Hunter Gatherer and creative director for the event, wrote how history had been made and that he was ‘proud’ of the achievement, which he described as ‘easily the most important and emotional event’ he had ever been involved in.
He included a special mention of Central Hall Westminster’s head of events Yasmin Barnett and event manager Jacob Thorpe as well as White Light for their roles in staging, cameras, lighting, sound, video and IT.
He said: “Every member of the creative, production, venue and staging team was absolutely engaged and totally committed to creating something truly special. So much was riding on this day, it was vital to gather a team that understood this was so much more than just an event.”
Event manager Jacob Thorpe said: “This day was dedicated to and in honour of the 30,000 people affected, including the 3,000 who tragically lost their lives. It was about their families, their friends, their children, and their parents — those who came together today for a moment they have awaited for so long.
“Over the past few months, I have spent significant time with many of them, deepening my understanding of the profound importance and significance of this event for them. This was their day, and I feel exceptionally blessed and privileged to have played a part in making it happen for them.”
Image Copyright: Big T Images and Infected Blood Inquiry
