Any trade association exists to provide services to members, to bring them together and to have a positive influence on the business environment in which they operate. I believe that AIRMIC has an impressive record in all these areas, and we have made our biggest gains, without exception, by working with others who share our interests. Hence, my theme for the year is progress through partnership.
This was true when, with the IRM and ALARM, we published the risk management standard. It helps to explain our success in the 1990s in pushing for a government backed terrorism reinsurance provider for property and, more recently, for passenger aircraft. It is how we gained acceptance for new safety standards in the food industry last year and why, during the summer, we were able to keep the regulator at bay.
Looking forward, we are cooperating with several European organisations to bring greater understanding of risk management among smaller and medium-sized businesses. Many other examples illustrate the point. I think, however, that we can do even more, and just how will emerge during the year.
Members make any trade association; and it is because we have active members that we are able to achieve so much. We could do even more. Many of the reforms we have already announced are designed to make it easier for more members to become actively involved with the association. I hope that as many members as possible will rise to the occasion.
