Trade Association Update: February
What 2022 means for the CBI and its Trade Association members
Coming out of the pandemic has meant an opportunity for associations to get back to doing what we do best; engaging with members, collaborating with colleagues and planning for the future, whilst adopting new ways of working that were successful as part of our pandemic response.
Whilst we most certainly have plenty on our plates to keep us busy in terms of political engagement and policy priorities, we as organisations are planning for vitally important commercial years ahead.
Member associations performed really strongly during the pandemic, and were more relevant than ever to their members and political stakeholders. This year is really important in capitalising on that, and showing that associations are not just for crisis (not that we are out of the woods yet...)
The Confederation model is at the heart of what we do at the CBI
The CBI has always been a home for member associations wanting to amplify their voice and who see benefit via policy and campaign engagement. This relationship made the difference in supporting the business community through the pandemic.
We are building on these foundations to develop our confederation approach further, to support the extensive network of association colleagues both in terms of representation, but also as organisation leaders themselves tackling business challenges, with all the nuances of being a trade association that comes with.
Where the CBI can support either directly or via facilitating the sharing of best practice we will do. We have many ideas on where this might add value, in areas like recruitment, digital member engagement, in supporting your members to reach their Net-Zero or D&I goals just to name some examples. I would more than welcome a conversation about how we do this, and indeed what the priorities of your organisation are.
Part of that will be to showcase activity from across the trade and member association community, be that successful campaigns, examples of innovation and best practice or profiling one of the many brilliant people who work in the sector.
Sector trade associations play a crucial role in supporting businesses and in good government. It is right that the CBI takes a role in supporting and championing those same associations
With our collective unparalleled reach into the business community, we have the opportunity to narrate the story of how associations are a vital part in shaping and leading change in each sector with the ultimate aim of stronger UK growth.
In other news this month
Current CBI campaigns
Going for Growth
At the beginning of this month, Tony Danker, Director General, CBI, kicked off the start of our campaign to drive a pro-growth policy agenda in the run up to the Budget (so watch out for more campaign outputs over the coming weeks). In case you missed it, catch up with the recording of the speech and key extracts, and if you are able to support this message in your own member and external comms it will emphasise the message resonates across the business community
Shortages
The CBI has started a campaign to help members tackle shortages of supply, labour, and energy. To help members keep on the front foot of the evolving supply chain and energy crisis and understand what’s happening in related sectors, check out the new CBI Insights Dashboard which cuts through the headlines and presents members with key information, sector by sector.
Seize the Moment: Our plans for Trade Association engagement
Following the launch of Seize the Moment in 2021, this year we are now able to focus on the delivery of these plans, how you can engage with each theme and lead change within your membership. For more information to help orientate yourself please do take a look at our annual workplan
In our previous network structures, there has been a focus on the ongoing policy work. Within the Seize the Moment theme networks we will now be focusing on both policy and business activation to equip you with the tools, knowledge and network to help your members take the next step in making the UK a competitive, dynamic and future-focused economy.
We have updated MyCBI to reflect the Seize the Moment themes and in practice we will be in communication over the next month to help explain how our trade association members can get further involved.
It would be really helpful if you are able to share with us the lead in your organisation against each of the STM theme areas.
Trade Association updates
Karen Betts joins Food and Drink Federation as CEO, moving from the Scotch Whisky Association.
Mark Kent joins the Scotch Whisky Association as CEO.
Oil and Gas UK, is expanding and rebranding to Offshore Energies UK to include the low-carbon offshore energy technologies that its members are developing. Becoming a unifying voice for an offshore energy sector that was undergoing rapid and positive change.
Hannah Gurga joins the Association of British Insurers (ABI) as Director General.
Rob Flello joins the British Ceramic Confederation as CEO.
James de le Vingne joins Employee Ownership Association as CEO.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has welcomed two new members from the healthcare industry to its Board of Directors, Oliver Colfer and Bob Russell, effective from this month.
Paul Cossell has taken over from Andy Steele as chair of construction trade association Build UK.
We are keen to hear your news about staffing changes so that we can update how we communicate with you accordingly. Please let Talisha know.
Trade Association Advocacy in Action
UK car production in 2021 fell -6.7% to only 859,575 units, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the worst total since 1956.
The British Ports Association (BPA), the national trade association for ports and harbours, has suggested that the proposals unveiled by Michael Gove in the government's flagship Levelling Up White Paper should look at the role ports can play in economic development and how transport links can stimulate growth.
The Chemical Industries Association's Q4 2021 survey shows that the manufacturing sector continues to show some growth – “a tribute to the fantastic performance delivered by every worker in our sector, right across the UK"
The British Beer and Pub Association, UKHospitality, the Tourism Alliance and the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions have today published a study which highlights the massive benefits which will accrue to the Government over a decade if the current reduced level of VAT is retained.
The Airport Operators Association has signed the "Toulouse Declaration" on Europe -wide aviation decarbonisation on behalf of UK airports alongside European governments as well as UK and European airports, airlines and other aviation and aerospace associations and companies.
Mineral Products Association and British Precast joined forces in one association to represent the industry and accelerate its journey to beyond net-zero carbon emissions.
As the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) looks set to approve changes to the way it evaluates new medicines and health technologies, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry believes that – taken in their entirety - the changes will move the needle in the right direction for NHS patients.
Gilead Sciences has joined the membership of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, effective from January 2022.
'Golden opportunity' for Scotch whisky as UK launches India talks, Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said ‘The new year offers new hope for reducing the longstanding 150% tariff on Scotch Whisky in India.’
The British International Freight Association has petitioned the UK government to investigate the state of competition within the current deep-sea container shipping market, claiming that it is unfairly distorter.
The British Retail Consortium warned the cost of living crisis was likely to feed through to consumers’ spending habits, while supply-side expansion in response to easing restrictions would increase competition among retailers for customer spend.
Speak to Henry or Talisha if you have any stories, thought leadership on a particular topic area in which your association specialises or news about staffing changes which will allow us to communicate with you in the best way possible.
And don’t forget to also tag the CBI in any Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook posts so that we can also engage with you across our social platforms in 2022.