Member Engagement
work in the EU. Alex Silverton of the DBT was the guest speaker at the meeting and spoke about the export academy, which offers free training to people involved in export trade; this includes some offerings that will be suitable for freight forwarders. Liverpool The Liverpool meeting on 2 October took place in co-operation with Mersey Maritime at Weightmans Solicitors offices in Old Hall Street. BIFA Members were invited to attend a panel discussion on ‘Cyber security, the threats and impacts on the maritime and logistics chain’. The panel comprised Sasha Henry of CyXcel cyber security, Sean Crotty and Francis Annadale of Weightmans, and Andrew Melton from BIFA. The discussion included both criminal enterprises and nation states such as Russia and China facilitating digital espionage. Following the panel discussion, BIFA Members gathered for a short update on the policy group output. Manchester The following day, 3 October, the Manchester meeting was held at the Nest in Wythenshawe. Here Members were interested in the developments at Heathrow cargo terminal, the expected EU EES requirements and, particularly, how this will be complied with, along with general matters around compliance. Kelly Hobson, vice chair of the Sustainable Logistics Policy Group and founder of Shape tomorrow, gave an update on the recent meeting and a presentation on starting your sustainability journey. This was followed by a short talk from Cameron Smith, current chair of the North-west Young Forwarder Network, about the benefits of allowing younger staff to join the YFN to gain a greater understanding of the industry through the various events. NB since the above meetings took place, the relevant bodies have announced delays to the implementation of the EU EES and a decision on the planning consent order for the Lower Thames Crossing. BIFA will update Members as further information becomes available.
BIFA regional meetings. Top: Heathrow; centre, Felixstowe; above, London East
NORTHERN ENGLAND & THE MIDLANDS Andrew Melton reports on the latest regional meetings in the North and Midlands. Leeds/Bradford On 17 September, Members attended the Cedar Court Hotel Bradford. In addition to the general updates from the policy groups, this meeting included a presentation from Stephen Noblett of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) informing Members about the services the DBT offers to exporters and how Members can
use these services to add value in support of their clients. Humberside On 26 September, Members gathered at Humberside airport for the Humber Regional meeting. Denise Hill attended representing the BIFA board. General discussion took place around the policy group meetings. Members were particularly concerned about the expected ENS implementation for UK imports from the EU, and the issues that are expected to follow the EU’s enforcement of stay limits under the EU EES, which will impede UK truck drivers’ ability to undertake
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