British International Freight Association Annual Report and Accounts ...

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Director General’s Report BIFA started the year with an agenda to ensure ‘Membership Value’ throughout 2008 and I am confident that, despite the economic winds that threatened to blow many off course, we have achieved this as an Association. In addition to our visible activities, some of these advances have been behind the scenes, including back office activity to improve the way in which BIFA works. We have achieved a higher public profile, including the regular BIFA ‘Forward Looking’ column in International Freighting Weekly (IFW) that started in 2008. This initiative has increased our media presence substantially and is one that I have enjoyed working on very much. BIFA’s modus operandi in 2008 concentrated on our four key themes: training, statutory and regulatory issues, technical advice and support, and promotion. Staff retention and development is one of the key pay-backs to Members from money spent on training, and I am pleased that our Training offering went from strength to strength as the year progressed, with a significant increase in the number of students trained, and courses offered. Of course no year is ever completely plain sailing. The plummet of the Pound against the Euro and US Dollar started off early in the year as a roller-coaster of exchange rates that seemed to offer a good prospect to boost exports for UK plc. Unfortunately, many of our overseas markets were themselves in economic disarray and the expected positive impact was just not there. I do not have to remind any Member of the volatility we saw in the price of oil in 2008 and the cost impact. Whilst oil finished the year not a great deal ahead of where it had started, its sudden price rise put an incredible strain on the supply chain. BIFA Members with road services saw the price at the pump soar. BIFA reacted by calling for an essential user rebate of fuel duty and the postponement of a planned duty increase targeted for the end of the year. One of the most significant debuts of the year, and one in which BIFA had a very important helping hand in disseminating information, of course, was the introduction in January 2008 of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accreditation. Shortly afterwards, the successful transition took place of SAD H, and we could say goodbye to messy dual-running in the relaying of information to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). In stark contrast there was disappointment when, in the Spring, the Government removed the empty business property rates relief. That was such a short-sighted measure that has impacted on the commercial and business property interests of our membership and on the landscapes of our nation’s business parks and commercial property. As with all such unsatisfactory measures, BIFA maintained its efforts throughout the year to persuade the Government to withdraw the change. We were also disappointed that the invidious measure to backdate business rates at UK ports went ahead. In 2008, BIFA organised 110 Policy Group and Regional meetings 6 BIFA Annual Report and Accounts 2008
In terms of legislation, we saw a variety of developments in 2008 that impacted on the work of BIFA Members. In the Summer, the Home Office published significant rules for a points system for migrant workers from outside the European Economic Area, due to take effect later in the year. These meant that employers had to demonstrate that the roles could not have been filled by the resident labour market. We worked to influence HM Treasury over new money laundering regulations implementing the EU’s Third Money Laundering Directive, agreeing, after much consultation with HM Treasury and HMRC, that the core activities of our Members were deemed to be outside the scope of these regulations. In April, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into force. This important legislation means that companies found culpable can face severe penalties. BIFA Members work professionally but freight movement does have its dangers, and I repeat my belief in the importance of BIFA’s contribution to providing a safer workplace. The infrastructure of the freight industry is always of concern to me, and this year was no different. I applauded the news at the end of the year that the Thames Gateway terminal first phase was given the green light and that work on expansion to the port of Felixstowe started. BAA’s notice that it had to divest two of its London airports and a Scottish operation has positive implications for air freight operations. Promotion and representation takes many forms. BIFA had a presence at leading and influential conferences and congresses where we were able to put forward the concerns and thoughts of the UK freight forwarding community. We took part as a participant in the inaugural Multimodal show, and we are already looking forward to our participation in 2009. Two further important events saw us at the annual FIATA congress and CLECAT conference in 2008. The year saw a perfect demonstration of how events outside the normal working day can impact severely on the everyday work of BIFA Members. Remember the soggy summer With June and July registering the wettest UK weather since records began, floods and disruptions caused by the bad weather seemed to play havoc with transport as much as the rocketing oil price did. The failure of the world trade talks was a grave disappointment as I am only too aware of the significance of the word ‘International’ in our Association’s title. When Lehman Brothers came tumbling down in late Summer, who could have foreseen the consequences of the banking crisis, that started across the Atlantic, in both the UK and mainland Europe I know that BIFA Members are threatened, not only by a reduction in trade as global business is impacted, but also the imperative of ensuring healthy cash flow in this difficult environment. It was great to enjoy the 19th BIFA Freight Services Awards back in January 2008 and enjoy the verve and wit of special guest Gyles Brandreth. As well as the winners who walked away with trophies, I know that BIFA Members who attended the event came away with an appreciation of the highest standards achievable by their peers. It was impressive, as well, to realise that the next such ceremony would be the landmark 20th. Quite an achievement! Elsewhere, BIFA Members met up for more intimate social events, and I tip my hat at Members in Liverpool who raised significant funds for charity. We started the year focusing on core value for Members, and as we enter an extraordinarily challenging 2009, we do so in the knowledge that we have a clear direction and, most importantly, the solid financial base from which to operate. I am confident that this Report demonstrates how BIFA improved during the year, not only for the direct benefit of our membership, but also for the wider benefit of UK plc’s import and export activity. Peter Quantrill Director General We have achieved a higher public profile, with a regular BIFA ‘Forward Looking’ column in International Freighting Weekly. BIFA Annual Report and Accounts 2008 7
Page 1 and 2: British International Freight Assoc
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Page 9 and 10: Known as SAD Harmonisation (SAD H)
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Page 15 and 16: Report of the Independent Auditors
Page 17 and 18: Balance Sheet as at 31 December 200
Page 19 and 20: 5. Tangible Fixed Assets Land and b
Page 21 and 22: Detailed Income and Expenditure Acc
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