Steve Parker’s Column
BIFA’s end-of-term report
BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 00391973. VAT Registration: 216476363) Director General Steve Parker s.parker@bifa.org Member Policy, Compliance & External Affairs Director Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Member Support Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Member Services Director Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Member Engagement Director Denise Hill d.hill@bifa.org Senior Policy Advisor – Ocean & Legal matters Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Sustainable Logistics Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Sustainable Logistics Jamie McKean j.mckean@bifa.org Communications Manager Natalie Pitts n.pitts@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org Membership Supervisor Sarah Milton s.milton@bifa.org Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Steve Parker, Robert Windsor, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Igor Popovics, Denise Hill, Mike Jones, Pawel Jarza, Natalie Pitts Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editorial co- ordinator to ensure that the item in question still reflects the current circumstances. Please be advised that BIFA DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE. BIFA is not a law firm and the authors of this publication are not legally qualified and do not have any legal training. The guidance and assistance set out herein are based on BIFA’s own experience with the issues concerned and should not be in any circumstances regarded or relied upon as legal advice. It is strongly recommended that anyone considering further action based on the information contained in this publication should seek the advice of a qualified professional.
A s we approach the end of the academic year, many of us with school-age children or grandchildren will be familiar with the fl urry of end-of-term reports arriving home. That got me thinking — what if BIFA had one too? Here’s a quick look at some of our key ‘subjects’ this year — what we’ve done well and where there’s still room for improvement. Subject: Government engagement
This has been a major focus for us over the past year. Our collaboration with SEC Newgate has significantly enhanced our ability to engage with MPs, government departments and regulatory bodies — and the results are beginning to show. We’ve actively raised important issues such as the approval of the Lower Thames Crossing, expansion support for both Heathrow and Gatwick, and necessary upgrades to CDS and NCTS5 to ensure system reliability and compliance. Report Card: Above Average – solid progress, needs to continue. Subject: BIFA Conference We successfully held the first BIFA Conference in several years. Feedback from attendees was very positive, with many requesting a follow-up in 2026 — which we’re pleased to confirm is in the pipeline. That said, attendance numbers were not as strong as we’d hoped. Increasing Member participation will be a priority for the next edition. Report Card: Good start – needs broader member engagement. Subject: Multimodal Held around six weeks ago, Multimodal was a real highlight. We met with a wide range of Members and industry partners — I personally spoke with 46 different people on Day One alone (and followed up with most of them!). BIFA unveiled a refreshed look at our stand, and the BIFA Village was fully booked and full of energy throughout the event. Report Card: Exceeds Expectations. Subject: Regional Meetings This year has seen a record number of regional meetings, with increased member attendance across the board. However, we continue to face challenges with no-shows — members registering but not attending on the day. We’re working to enhance the value of these meetings by improving both the content and delivery, ensuring they remain relevant and practical for all attendees. Report Card: Needs Improvement – work in progress. Subject: Training and education BIFA has continued to represent members’ interests and concerns about staffing and personnel issues, whilst encouraging Members to recruit and train apprentices. 2025 has seen the launch of BIFA’s Bitesize training service, which gives members access to some very useful training modules and is all part of their membership fee. Report Card: Excellent progress with further commitment scheduled. Subject: Communication We have made significant efforts to improve both the nature of our communication with Members, as well as how it is delivered. BIFA TV has been remodelled and, whilst it remains a work in progress, feedback is generally positive. Report Card: Promising start, but work needed on building audience. Parents’ Evening? Let’s Call It the Business Leaders Forum Our next Business Leaders Forum is scheduled for 1 October at ETC Venues. Please save the date — formal invitations will follow shortly. People often ask whether this event is strictly for senior executives. Our answer: we welcome anyone who is empowered to take action on strategic issues. These sessions are designed to look ahead, tackling key topics shaping our industry and helping attendees stay one step ahead. As always, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Let’s keep learning and improving together.
Director General
August 2025 | 3
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