A summary of the annual conference of the UK trade association, by Steve Jordan.
The BAR (British Association of Removers) held its annual conference this year in Glasgow. According to Ian Studd, Director General of BAR, attendance was up on recent years with 23 nations represented. What’s more, the sun came out!
The conference was, as always, a mixture of business and networking opportunities (that’s a posh way of saying people having fun together). This included a drinks reception for first-time attendees, a lunch hosted by the BAR Overseas Group and an activity day that included karting and laser combat shooting.
Rob Bartup, Chairman of the Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme Trust (APG), that provides financial protection to private customers who pay in advance for international moves, said that there had been only one claim during 2023 however, with more difficult trading, three had been advised in the first four months of 2024 though only one was expected to result in a claim.
The chairman of the Remover’s Benevolent Association (RBA), Gavin McCarthy, said that it had been a busy year with donations up significantly partly due to a very successful auction held at the 2023 conference and because of fundraising by members. The RBA provides financial help to members of the moving industry, particularly when someone suffers from an accident or long-term illness. “The existence of the RBA continues to provide a safety net and peace of mind to the BAR community and while it remains in a robust position financially, will always rely on the generosity and fundraising efforts of the community it supports,” said Gavin.
Mike Andrews, BAR President, said that after a slow and steady decline in BAR membership, which had reduced from 800 members to around 400 today, there had been a modest increase with 22 companies joining the organisation. The Association’s membership survey had revealed members in 501 location, operating over 4,000 vehicles, with 9,000 employed staff and performing close to 400,000 moves a year. He said priorities for the association included: a review of membership criteria, the continued promotion of the brand, extending training to include senior management, to
have Area meetings fully functional, have a review of the BAR’s Model Terms and Conditions, continue to support and develop the BAR Young Movers Group, and to implement the succession plan.
Keynote speaker John McCarthy OBE told of how, when working as a journalist, he had been taken hostage and held for five years ...
Photo: Mike Andrews, BAR President.