A large part of SITPRO's reputation is built upon the expertise that we can call upon from our Board and other advisers. Over the past few months, we had cause to pay particular tribute to the work of a number of individuals who stood down from important positions.
Peter Wilmott
With a background encompassing work at the European Commission and at HM Customs & Excise, Peter Wilmott brought a wealth of experience to SITPRO's Board of Directors. During six years of service he contributed to every aspect of SITPRO's work, offering a level of international trade experience and expertise that benefited any discussion. However, it will be his work on the WTO trade facilitation negotiations, his efforts towards EU customs reform and his dry wit that we will most remember. We hope that he will enjoy his newly found free time as much as we will miss him. Peter's departure leaves a vacancy on the Board, which will be advertised shortly.
Sandy Russell, the former Deputy Chairman and Director at HM Customs & Excise, joined SITPRO's Board in 1998. Sandy was particularly involved in SITPRO's European work and during his period of directorship chaired both the European Policy Group and EUROPRO. Following the completion of his term as a director, he continued to support SITPRO as an adviser until he finally retired at the end of 2007. However, his legacy will continue to be seen in the successful continuation of the work that he championed so vigorously.
After ten years, there was also a change at the top for the Ports and Borders Advisory Group (PBG) as Brian Atkinson and John Powell stood down as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Under their guidance, the PBG became a group that looks at providing practical, value-for-money solutions to operational problems and they oversaw the implementation of many of the recommendations made in the SITPRO Ports Report of 1996/97. They also introduced task forces to focus on issues such as Dangerous Goods Regulations, Customs Approvals, Collection of Freeport Statistics and more recently Container Seals and the IAN Act. Their expertise will not be lost since they continue as members of the group while Peter MacSwiney, a long-standing PBG member with significant experience and expertise in the air environment and freight forwarding industry, takes over as the new Chairman.
SITPRO works particularly closely with the British International Freight Association and we have welcomed the contribution to our work from Colin Beaumont who retired at the end of 2007. His position on the Advisory Council has been taken by the new Director General, Peter Quantrill, and we look forward to continuing our long and fruitful relationship with BIFA during his term.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 63, Winter 2007/2008
