Steve Parker’s Column
What bringeth the New Year? L et me start 2024 by being one of the fi rst to wish everyone a Happy New Year. On a personal level, I hope 2024 sees you all in good health and ready for the year ahead. On a business level, I trust it looks positive, with volumes and profits improving.
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 Director Robert Windsor r.windsor@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 International Relations Advisor Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Adviser – Sustainable Logistics Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Air David Stroud d.stroud@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, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Igor Popovics, Robert Keen, Denise Hill, Mike Jones Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editor 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.
I know from the economic forecast I see, and anecdotal evidence I get, that for many of our Members 2023 was more difficult than we would have liked. It is clear our industry is resetting following both Brexit and the pandemic. What I sense from all this is that the beginning of 2024 will be a time of stabilisation for us, and then, as the UK financial situation improves and we get an election out of the way, we kick on towards the end of the year and into 2025.
Resolutions As we enter 2024, I wonder what we as your association can do to help you be more successful? To give it a new year feel, what resolutions could we make to support our industry and bring a brighter outlook? During 2023 we had some successes. Our Member engagement has grown; the business leaders forum is up and running; we held the first meeting of our Sustainable Logistics Policy Group; we had positive news on the Consortia Block Exemption Review; and our training continues to attract good numbers of attendees (you might like to know we trained 1,001 people in 2023). In 2024, we plan to push all those topics with perhaps a bit of emphasis on training. As you know there are moves for a Voluntary Standard of Competence for our sector, and we are adding to the debate on this topic and watching the developments carefully. We are not sure what the outcome of this will be, but the direction of travel is for staff who are fully trained. We can support you with this and want to ensure we do so efficiently with the least business disruption possible. We are certainly starting the new year with a bang. With the next (and final) stage of migration from CHIEF to CDS for exports imminent, we are holding a seminar on Tuesday 9January in conjunction with ASM, which will provide an important update on what BIFA Members need to do to prepare to give you the best chance of successfully migrating. We will also discuss the revised timescale for the migration. Starting from January 2024, we will have a brand-new course as part of our one-day essential portfolio. Introduction to Freight is a practical course for beginners that will provide learners with a good foundation in the processes involved when importing and exporting goods. We want to serve BIFA Members as best as we can. Perhaps some of you could make it a resolution to attend one of our many meetings (whether regional, or policy group) and help us shape the direction of our industry. Awards I just wanted to update you on this, our chance to celebrate the great work of our industry. The awards ceremony is sold out with more people attending than ever before. We have worked hard with the Brewery (the home for the awards for 35 years) on squeezing a few more in. Suzi Perry “queen of the pit lane” is our guest and will bring some great insights from the world of broadcasting. I look forward to seeing many of you there, if you are at the bar mine is coke zero!
Director General
January 2024 | 3
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