Deputy Chairman's Column

I am pleased to once again be able to write this column and in so doing update you on what is happening in the Institute. Contained in this issue are the finalised audited accounts for 2006. I am sure you will be pleased to note that financially the Institute is very healthy with reserves in excess of £600,000. The current UK economic climate is also a healthy one for the Institute as we are achieving high rates of interest on our investments. The accounts for 2006 indicated a small operating deficit which is what we expected as the bulk of our members now hold life membership status and as such our income from membership fees has declined. As an Institute we should take pride in the decision taken to move towards life membership as it indicates the progressive nature of our organisation. I see no reason why the life expectancy of the IMS should not be in excess of 20 years based upon current income and expenditure projections.

It must be stressed that the Institute seems to have a structure and operating system that meets the needs of our membership. The lack of concerns raised by members illustrates that they are very satisfied with the present structure and level of service provided by the Institute, not surprising as members now receive all these items free of charge.

The Institute is still a vibrant and growing Institute with an increasing membership base and Council continues to develop and expand the resources available to members. Over the past year we have produced new training resources for our examinations. We have reproduced our acclaimed management services training videos in DVD format. In recent weeks we have sourced and secured access to new Rating DVDs for the membership, full details can be found on the opposite page. Our journal is now available in pdf format on our much improved website.

We have succeeded in restructuring the Institute in a way that no other professional body has ever achieved. We are now running the Institute as a very modern and efficient business rather than in pre 1999 days when we seemed to spend money on a series of ideas that really benefited no one and just drained away our reserves. It is worth recalling that in 1999 the Institute had a life expectancy of less than five years now we are looking at a future extending beyond 20 years and all free to our members.

You will perhaps recall that in 2005 I promised you that in moving from a monthly to a quarterly journal we would provide exactly the same number of pages of technical content. I am pleased to indicate that our editor MeI Armstrong and the Editorial Panel have kept to this promise and continue to provide us with what I believe is a quality journal. I hope you enjoy reading this issue of the journal.

Finally may I remind you that the 42nd AGM of the Institute will be held on Friday 5 October 2007 at the Guild Hall, Bore Street, Lichfield at 10am. Full details appeared in the Summer 2007 issue of the journal

I am always happy to hear members' views and also ideas for improving the services the Institute provides, you can email me at blanchflower@merseymail.com.

Eastern Region Meeting

We would appreciate your support for this meeting - facilitated by our IMS President John Thurso. MP - in the Macmillan Room, Portcullis House Westminster, on Wednesday 10 October 2007, from 6-8pm.

Subject: 'Lean Management'

An opportunity to learn more about this subject and express your views on its future application.

Radical Simplification - Lean in Boots Manufacturing UK

Speaker: Geoff Mansfield, lean consultant Boots Manufacturing.

Boots Manufacturing is the largest supplier to Boots Retail. This talk outlines the programme of radical change designed to improve Boots Manufacturing position in a competitive market place.

The Practical Realities of Working in a 'Lean' Environment'

Speaker: Phil Shankley, managing director of GEFCO UK.

An overview of the competitive pressures on GEFCO - one of Europe's top transport and logistics groups - providing services to international companies, eg Peugeot, Citroen, Toyota, Honda.

Lean Management

Speaker to announced later

Contact

To attend this event. Please contact Ray Martin on 020 83662445 or raymartin@lineone.net as soon as possible - deadline 1 October 2007, in order for us to make the necessary security arrangements for entry to Portcullis House.

David Blanchflower

Deputy Chairman

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