Steve Parker’s Column
Communication, representation, promotion and training B IFA tries to ensure that the freight and logistics industry of today is prepared for tomorrow by representing our Members with all key stakeholders and promoting it to the broadest possible audience, as well as the next generation. We support Members by providing a wide range of relevant services, information, training and events, keeping them informed of the ever-changing freight, customs and sustainability landscape. So, I am pleased to report that there is plenty of evidence that we are busy with all of those roles at present. BIFA TV and BIFAlink July brings two significant changes to the way that BIFA communicates with Members. Firstly, we have launched our new TV identity, moving from BIFAlink TV to BIFA TV, and in doing so we will be upgrading the features and content delivery. Secondly, you will notice that we have not printed this issue of BIFAlink ; instead future issues move to a digital-only format. We have of course been creating a digital version for some time but have now decided, largely for environmental reasons, that it is time to stop printing and posting BIFAlink . The magazine will remain the same with the look and feel that you are familiar with and we hope you understand this change. If you are reading this and have not watched BIFA TV today, then could I persuade you to take a look? See the article on page 22 for more information on where BIFA TV will be available and how you can subscribe to ensure that you never miss an episode. Today’s episode was filmed in our new studio in Feltham which will allow us to enhance the possibilities around content, production and editing. Engaging with Members From the perspective of promotion and representation, the month of June saw the annual Multimodal exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham and let me say, it was great to see so many of you there. For me and the BIFA personnel on the stand, it was a busy few days, with Tuesday and Wednesday being particularly so. I love it! I met so many Members and stakeholders from our industry; it is fantastic to do that and meet you all in one place! I have to say it is a tiring few days and I drove home on Thursday a little weary but happy that so many of you had visited us. In regard to the delivery of information and relevant events, here’s an important date for your diary. Our next Business Leaders Forum is on Thursday 1 October at the usual venue, ETC in London. I am already working with some key industry speakers to provide attendees with essential information on topical issues affecting the freight, customs and sustainability arena. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible. A formal invitation will be issued shortly and that will allow you to register your place. If you have been before you will know that this event does get busy and we do have a limit on the number of attendees. So, please put this in the diary now and sign-up to join us as soon as you receive the invitation email or go direct to www.bifa.org/events. Bitesize expansion In the training environment, July sees us adding new modules to the Bitesize eLearning programme. The new modules supplement the existing CDS Compliance course and encompass a variety of Customs regimes including Returned Goods Relief, Temporary Admission, and Inward Processing for import, as well as Outward Processing, Export from a Customs Warehouse and Standard Export. See our website for more information. BIFA’s Bitesize eLearning initiative is designed to provide full trading Members with unlimited access to eLearning, giving opportunities for them to upskill their teams, and is all part of the membership fee. Since its launch, the response has been tremendous with 1,300 active users, and almost 4,000 courses completed. With all the above said, it only remains for me to wish you a very pleasant summer as the annual holiday period commences.
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.
Director General
July 2025 | 3
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