British International Freight Association Annual Report and Accounts ...

Chairman’s Report
2008 has been
a successful year
for BIFA as the
financial results
now confirm.
Our Association faces the
current downturn in world
trade with the benefit of
strong financial reserves
supported by healthy
current trading levels.
This solid foundation will
enable us to maintain high
standards of service to the
membership during the
harder times ahead.
In addition to this, there have been some
exciting new developments such as the
online digital library which will come on
stream during 2009. It will be accessible
by all trading Members and should come
to be seen as a unique reference resource.
In this connection I would like to thank
not only those in the Secretariat who have
helped work on this innovative product,
but also my successor and current
Vice Chairman, Andrew Melton, who is
closely associated with the project. As we
progress through the rest of 2009 and for
at least the next two years, he will be in
the best possible position to ensure our
internet library continues to grow and
develop.
Whilst on the theme of networking, the
Freight Service Awards Lunch was another
outstanding success, not only in terms of
the numbers attending but also as a way
of celebrating the achievements of the
finalists, and above all, the nine worthy
winners. The Annual Dinner in Liverpool
brought together a sizeable gathering of
Members at the end of a year, which,
apart from anything else, saw Liverpool
emerge as an outstanding ‘City of
European Culture’.
During 2008, it was again both instructive
and a real pleasure in my role as Chairman
to meet members not only in London but
also throughout the rest of the country.
Our programme of regional Board Meetings
will continue, with presentations and
wider membership participation whenever
appropriate. These meetings and allied events
also provide an opportunity for Members to
get together with other key organisations
and individuals in our industry, whether from
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or relevant
regional authorities including the ports.
During 2008 we have held Board Meetings
followed by lunchtime receptions at Hull
and Glasgow, which have given my fellow
Directors and me further opportunities to
meet and exchange views with Members.
At the same time, the Chairmanship has
proved invaluable for me in getting to know
colleagues in the Secretariat, as well as
our expert volunteers in the Policy Groups
and on the Council. BIFA really does come
across as a strong organisation when taking
into account all these different elements,
as well as the underlying goodwill and
commitment of participants.
Looking to the future, the
challenge will be to continue
our representation of the
international freight and
logistics industry, which is
more essential than ever
to boosting our country’s
overall trade performance.