Following the European Commission’s call for tighter rules on lobbying, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has demanded a mandatory register in Brussels as the pre-requisite to a serious debate about lobbying. London, 29th September 2016. Francis Ingham MPRCA, PRCA Director General said: “We welcome the European Commission’s call for a more serious approach to lobbying regulation, however the lobbying register in Brussels must be mandatory before we can have a serious debate about lobbying. “In our response to the consultation on a proposal for a mandatory Transparency Register, we strongly urged the European Commission to establish a mandatory system with sanctions. This is key to ensuring compliance, trust in European Union, and transparency. It is also essential that the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the EU are covered under the same mandatory register. “While we appreciate that the register in its current form covers everyone from in-house lobbyists to trade associations and is free to register, the issue of financial disclosure remains deeply flawed and unworkable. The register is also overly burdensome on lobbyists, and public officials must be held accountable as well. “It is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that the lobbying register achieves the right level of transparency and inspires public trust in the European Union”.

According to the Director General of The Association of British Insurers, Huw Evans, regulation in the UK’s interest is vital to the future of the insurance and long term savings industry as it seeks to make the best of Brexit. Evans also urged the government to secure transitional arrangements between Brexit and what replaces it to avoid a protracted political timescale impacting on business location decisions. Speaking on 30th September he is quoted as saying, “The ABI Board has set out five areas it considers important for the UK to focus its efforts on as it prepares its initial negotiating position. Whether it’s retaining passporting and preventing a data protection quagmire, or seeking a new improved immigration system and opening up trade deals in key markets like India and China, we are determined to get the best possible outcome for the industry.” The ABI Board’s list includes securing a regulatory environment that is appropriate for the UK market; retaining the ability to passport out of and into the UK; closely mirroring the EU data protection regime to avoid a quagmire of complexity around how personal and non-personal data is protected; and an improved future migration policy that enables the employment of high-skilled professionals from both within and outside the EU. Lastly it calls for a strong focus on regulatory dialogue and international agreements in overseas financial services markets, especially in India and China.

Having announced three new initiatives at its annual conference earlier this summer – a system of Professional Registration for sellers, a Code of Conduct, and a programme of Continuing Professional Development – the Association of Professional Sales (APS) claims that its autumn campaign to drive up ethics and standards in the sales industry has got off to a flying start. Having launched their Professional Registration and the Code of Conduct on 1st September with more than 600 sales individuals already signed up, and interest being expressed by individuals from the UK, the US and Australasia the APS believes it is garnering “truly global attention”, and forming a quality guarantee for the sales industry. Ian Helps, APS director of sales professionalism says, “Customers will henceforth be able to search for those sales professionals who are registered in this way, and so be able to proactively choose to work with sales professionals who have committed to ‘do the right thing and get the right result’.” The programme, and professional registration, which is in its test phase and is likely to go live at the beginning of next year, binds the seller to uphold an external guarantee of standards in sales, designed and administered by a professional body rather being an internal corporate initiative. According to APS, professionals who uphold and promote their Sales Code of Conduct are making a pledge to judiciously balance their responsibilities to their customers, to their employer organisation and to their profession. The APS Sales Code of Conduct spells out its four fundamental principles as, integrity; solution appropriateness; promoting and protecting good sales practices; and acting in line with organisational codes and within the law.

Each year the British Safety Council invites its members and other organisations around the world to apply for an International Safety Award for their site/business unit. The award recognises commitment to good workplace health and safety management. More than 500 entries are received each year and are adjudicated by an independent panel of chartered health and safety professionals. The British Safety Council turns 60 in 2017 and so the awards will be presented at the 60th Anniversary and International Safety Awards Gala Dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday 5 May 2017. Open to anyone with an interest in workplace health and safety, organisations will be invited to answer 12 questions about their health and safety management and demonstrate their continued commitment to keeping their workers and workplaces safe. Clearly, benefits include the opportunity for participants to gain recognition and promote their achievements, but most importantly to be part of a celebration of 60 years of improving health and safety standards around the world. Once again British Safety Council will invite applications for two further health and safety awards introduced to recognise individuals who, through their passion, commitment and dedication, have helped make a difference by keeping their colleagues and others healthy and safe. Organisations submitting an application for an International Safety Award can take the opportunity to enter one or two employees for the awards of Health and Safety Champion of the Year, and Young Health and Safety Champion of the Year. More at: http://https://www.britsafe.org/awards/international-safety-awards#sthash.3v8piZsc.dpuf

Applications close in a couple of days’ time for the post of CE of the GGF! The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) represents companies who make, supply or fit, glass and glazing products in the UK and internationally. Being the industry authority, the GGF promotes best practice and sets the highest technical and health & safety standards. The Federation is also the voice of the industry in local and national politics helping shape and influence policy and legislation. They are now seeking a new Chief Executive following the retirement of the current post holder. Reporting to the Board and working closely with the newly-elected President (Chair), they will drive forwards an ambitious agenda to deliver greater benefit and impact for membership. Key responsibilities will include: • Determining, communicating and executing the Federation’s strategy • Building excellent relationships with stakeholders, including government and policymakers, to represent members and the industry effectively • Developing first class services for members and ensuring there are compelling reasons to join the Federation • Identifying new revenue streams and opportunities to leverage impact through encouraging strong partnerships with others in our sector • Working closely with the CEO of the Helix Group, our trading organisation, to enable mutually beneficial strategies for development • Leading a successful team to deliver all operational activities

Vacancy: ADE Business Development Officer The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) advocates the value of a user orientated approach to meeting energy requirements. Styling itself the voice for a cost effective efficient, low carbon, user-led energy systems it recognises that consumers have varied needs; from reliable high temperature steam in industry to heating in urban or rural areas. Promoting a more local, efficient and less costly energy system where each technology and infrastructure option is considered on its merits. The decentralised energy sector is undergoing rapid change, and ADE are now seeking a Business Development Officer to help research and implement these new business projects, as well as grow the Association and generate income through membership and events. Leaving: Simon Green to quit the FCA Regulator confirms current director of general insurance and protection is set to depart. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that Simon Green, director of general insurance and protection, is set to leave the regulator. Green took on his current role in July 2014, when the position was first created by the FCA, after previously working as head of the general insurance and protection department. At the time the watchdog stated that the new director role would, “increase senior management capacity to deliver against the FCAs increasingly demanding supervisory and policy agendas” and also “further define the FCAs relationships with firms and key stakeholders.” Prior to joining the FCA Green served as manager of the Bank of England between 1996 and 1998. He has also held roles at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, NatWest Markets and the Nationwide Building Society

According to research by the Sixth Form Colleges Association two thirds of colleges have dropped courses as a result of funding cuts. The result is a narrow and part-time sixth form experience and compromised standards and social mobility and, according to the report’s authors, the findings should act as a wake-up call to government. In September 2016, the Sixth Form Colleges Association conducted an online survey of all 90 Sixth Form Colleges in England. More than 160,000 16 to 18 years olds are currently enrolled at a Sixth Form College and the sector is responsible for over 20% of the A levels sat in England each year. Each college was asked to report the cumulative impact of the three funding cuts introduced since 2011 and the recent increase in employer pension and national insurance contributions. In total, 80 Sixth Form College leaders completed the survey – a response rate of 89%. Sixth Form Colleges are the most efficient providers of sixth form education in England. As the sector outperforms school and academy sixth forms while educating more disadvantaged students and receiving less funding, the findings of this year’s survey should act as a wake-up call to government. Research commissioned by SFCA from the Institute of Education supports the assertion that funding pressures are turning sixth form education into a part time experience. It describes sixth form education in England as ‘uniquely narrow and short’ compared to the high performing education systems in Shanghai, Singapore, Sweden and elsewhere. The broad consensus in the profession is that a sixth form curriculum should have the characteristics of a baccalaureate model. In addition to qualifications, values tutorial, support activities, community action and work experience, it should develop the ‘soft’ skills essential to higher level study and employability. However, funding stresses are making this increasingly difficult to offer. This will have clear implications for social mobility – one of the recurring messages in the qualitative responses to the survey was very simple: busy students are successful students. The report notes that while there is now a single national funding formula for 16-19 education, there are still funding differences between Sixth Form Colleges and school/academy sixth forms. The most glaring inequality being the absence of a VAT refund scheme that, according to the survey, left the average Sixth Form College with £385,914 less to spend on the front line education of students last year. The message from the most effective and efficient providers of sixth form education is clear – more investment from government is essential if Sixth Form Colleges, school and academy sixth forms are to continue providing young people with the high quality education they need to progress to higher education and employment. Read the full report here:www.sixthformcolleges.org/sites/default/files/191016%20SFCA%20Funding%20Impact%20Survey%20FINAL.pdf

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) will be officially launched on 24th November 2016, marking its transition from the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA). Ordinary members and Fellows of CITMA, who will also be on the Register of Trade Mark Attorneys, will hold the title Chartered Trade Mark Attorney following the launch. ITMA was granted a Royal Charter by the Privy Council in April 2016, paving the way for the launch of CITMA. Kate O’Rourke, President of ITMA, said: “This will be a momentous event for the profession and members of ITMA – soon to be CITMA. The Royal Charter will act as a further seal of quality for the work the profession does and the value it provides to business in the UK and across the globe. It will also enhance the role CITMA plays in the legal sector as the pre-eminent body for trademarks and designs in the UK.” The Charter has been scribed on vellum, before being sent to the Crown Office for the Great Seal of the Realm to be applied. The launch will include the unveiling of new visual identity for the organisation

Confor has responded to two major consultations about the future shape of forestry across the United Kingdom. Its submission to The Future of Forestry in Scotland consultation, which ended on the 9th of November, follows detailed evidence provided to the Westminster inquiry into forestry being carried out by the EFRA (Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) committee. In its conclusion to the EFRA (forestry in England) committee submission, Confor highlights the enormous economic and environmental benefits the sector could deliver if the current low planting rates are improved. It gives recommendations in a series of areas: Increase tree cover; Improve management; Devise modern policy and support mechanisms for rural land use; Pests and diseases. Stuart Goodall, Confor CEO, has described the consultation, designed to complete the devolution of forestry to Scotland, as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the sector. The introduction to the consultation response says: “The private sector, in particular through Confor, has found its voice and is taking a lead in developing policy for the sector and establishing how Scotland’s forests, both private and public, can provide a myriad of economic, environmental and social benefits for the people of Scotland.” The proposals to create a new forestry division within the Scottish Government and a new agency to take on the work of Forest Enterprise, are welcomed – but Confor asks for reassurance on key issues, including the status of forestry professionals within the forestry division and protection of the productive forest resource on the National Forest Estate. Confor response England EFRA inquiry (871KB, pdf) http://www.confor.org.uk/media/246311/confor-position-on-future-of-forestry-in-scotland-consultation-nov2016.pdf

In 2017, the British Safety Council will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Demonstrating its contribution to improving the safety and health of workers, the charity will release a digital record of historic materials, long-thought to have been lost. When James Tye created the British Safety Council in 1957, thousands of people were being killed at work every year in the UK, while many more suffered serious injuries and disease. He worked tirelessly to prevent this and kick-started campaigns for seat belt laws and comprehensive protection for all workers. His efforts contributed to the creation of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974. Far ahead of his time, he helped to establish the British Wellness Council in 1979, which dealt with such issues as repetitive strain and stress. Since its inception, the British Safety Council has been working and campaigning on a variety of platforms to keep workers safe. More recently, it has focused its activities on workplace health and well-being, including mental health. A treasure trove of campaign posters, magazines, press cuttings, photographs and films featuring celebrities such as Barbara Windsor and Sterling Moss, take us on a journey through some of the biggest disasters of the last 60 years, including Aberfan, Piper Alpha, Flixborough and Hillsborough. A documentary film and a commemorative picture book by social historian Mike Esbester will also be released in 2017, charting the development of the British Safety Council against the economic, political and social changes that it sought to influence over the past 60 years. In 2017, a new British Safety Council manifesto will be launched at a parliamentary reception. The manifesto will use the organisation’s powerful legacy of change and improvement to reiterate the impact it will continue to make in the future in partnership with its members and supporters. Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said: “Our 60th anniversary is a particularly proud moment for the organisation and everybody who worked for and with us over the past six decades. It will be compelling proof of the role the British Safety Council has played in making Britain one of the safest places to work both in Europe and the rest of world. “It is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate to all businesses, both in the UK and worldwide, that we understand the challenges which the changing nature of work is creating for employers and that we are a good partner with whom to tackle them together.” British Safety Council: www.britsafe.org