Member Engagement
BIFA Advisory Body will engage and represent the interests of Members. There was a discussion across the group about PVA, which everyone agreed was still a risk and needs careful due diligence and authorisation for each shipment, not just an overall authorisation. The BIFA team updated the meeting on all other policy and Member engagement areas, including the further development of BIFA bitesize e-learning modules and the improved Member access to the portal which has been released. Gatwick Members in the London Gatwick region met online in mid-June when they heard updates on the Gatwick Northern Runway Project. On 27 February, the Transport secretary announced that she is “minded to approve” the application for the northern runway extension. Since then, Gatwick has responded to concerns with: • An improved noise scheme for local residents; • Specific plans and requirements to have 54% of passengers using public transport before it brings the Northern Runway into operation. A final decision is expected in October 2025, with the general expectation being that the project will receive government approval. The benefit for cargo would be significant with an increase in cargo capacity from 150,000 tonnes in 2018/19 to around 305,000 tonnes by 2032. The BIFA team updated the meeting on all other policy and Member engagement areas, including an update on the major review of the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions and BIFA’s involvement with the London Heathrow cargo redevelopment plans. Recent Gatwick regional meetings have been held online, but Paul Cunningham would like to hear Member views on future face- to-face meetings in the Gatwick area. Please email Paul (p.cunningham@bifa.org) with your thoughts.
Members attending the Manchester regional meeting took time to tour the training facilities at Mantra Learning
Around the regions
Midlands Regional meetings in the Midlands took place in Coventry and at East Midlands Airport. Both meetings were well attended with a presentation at both events from Adnan Zaheer of i-Customs on the opportunities for AI in the logistics chain. In addition, Adam Parker of Birmingham Airport attended the meeting at East Midlands Airport to update Members on the services now available at BHX. Julian Frattaroli of Savino Del Bene was confirmed as the new regional chair for the Midlands area. The position of Midlands vice chair is still open and anyone wishing to be considered should contact Andrew Melton (a.melton@bifa.org) for further information. Manchester Manchester's June regional meeting was kindly hosted by associate member Mantra Learning at its site in Middleton Manchester. In addition to the regular agenda items, those present were encouraged to express their interest in joining BIFA policy groups and this is now being followed up, hopefully resulting in representation from the north at these important meetings. Following the meeting, the personnel at Mantra Learning and the National Logistics Academy were proud to treat Members to a tour of their learning facilities
where they offer a range of transport and logistics related courses including forklift truck driving, HGV driving, ADR certificates and both Transport Manager and Driver CPC. Avonmouth Our thanks to Davies Turner which hosted the meeting at its site in Avonmouth in early June. One Member commented: “Meetings are informative for news in our industry whilst allowing the ability to ask expert guest speakers questions. I find it valuable to speak to others in the industry regarding potential issues that arise.” Guest speakers contributing to the meeting were: • Robert Windsor, BIFA Senior Policy & Compliance Advisor, who gave an update on the major review of the Standard Trading Conditions, informing the meeting of the main changes and the timing of release to Members. • Kelly Hobson, vice chair of the BIFA Sustainable Logistics Policy Group, presented the business case justification for freight forwarders to develop a credible and compliant sustainability strategy. • Andy Cooke, who recently joined BIFA as External Affairs Consultant to lead our involvement in the Heathrow Cargo Re-development Project, updated the meeting on how the
“ A final decision on the Gatwick Northern Runway Project is expected in October 2025, and the general expectation is that the project will receive government approval
July 2025 | 21
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