Editor’s Note & Chair’s Column
The diversity drive
The BCI goes truly
One of the things that I enjoy most about attending the
international
BCI’s annual event, which has this year evolved into the
BCM World Conference and Exhibition, is the wonderful
This week beginning 9 November was a busy one
diversity of people that you meet over the two days. For
in the BCI’s calendar. A series of events, including
example, just around the table that I was seated at during
our AGM, a board meeting and a strategy review
the Gala Dinner we had delegates from four different
workshop meant that board members, both new and
countries, representing the banking world, the public
retiring, were actively involved in shaping the Institute’s
sector, the European Union itself and, of course, the
activities for the coming years.
press. Not bad when you consider that there were five
people at the table. The title of this article may seem strange, as the BCI has been a
global organisation since its inception. However, following the
During the dinner conversation, one person highlighted the fact announcement of the board election results, we now have non-UK
that they had never seen so many experienced practitioners in one members making up nearly 50% of board members (six UK and five
room. Or at least that was how I chose to interpret their reference non-UK members). For me, this is the best possible result and will
to the number of grey-haired delegates in attendance! However, give the UK-based membership the opportunity to demonstrate its
a cursory glance around the room also showed just how many commitment to working with our international colleagues to develop
young people there were seated at the tables. What it also revealed a truly global BCM discipline and Institute.
was how evenly represented men and women were at the dinner.
In fact, while Angela in her column highlights the fact that almost Another significant event was the AGM, which voted to accept the
half of the BCI board members are from outside the UK, it should proposed changes in governance and its implementation over the next
also be noted that of the four newly elected members, three were year, so we have set ourselves plenty of work to do.
women.
The week also saw our first BCM World Conference and Exhibition
In my opinion, it is this excellent mix of practitioners that lends in London on 11 and 12 November. I cannot let this opportunity
business continuity a level of dynamism that is perhaps lacking pass without thanking everyone who was involved in making this
in other disciplines. This blend of different perspectives and conference a very successful event. From presentations and networking
opinions which is represented in the BCM community coupled to social events, an enjoyable and informative time was had by all.
with a willingness to share experiences, which was so apparent at
the conference, are helping to accelerate its evolution. What we A highlight of the conference for me was the speech given by Bob
must remember is that as a discipline BCM is only in its infancy, Geldof, which had myself and all of the delegates present spellbound.
yet already it is knocking on the door of the board room in many I wasn’t sure what to expect or how business continuity management
organisations and trying to make itself heard among the more would feature, but I found the depth and breadth of the topics he
established voices of finance, operations and risk management. covered awe-inspiring. In terms of the BCM connection, he spoke of
the need to communicate, especially in situations where many people
Business continuity is truly an all encompassing discipline, which need to be contacted simultaneously, such as a major incident, and
has infiltrated all walks of life, geographical regions and levels considered the means of communicating currently available to us and
of society. And, in my view, it is this diversity which is helping to the technologies that can facilitate this.
drive it forward.
Bob is renowned for his campaigning prowess and I suggest we take
Nigel Allen is editor of Continuity his speech as a rallying cry for BCM everywhere. Let’s all seek to
harness the energy and enthusiasm which he showed on that stage and
look to apply it to our BCM activities in the hope that we too can make
a difference. And who knows, we might inspire someone as well!
Angela Robinson FBCI is Chair of the BCI
November/December 2009  Continuity  
Cont Nov/Dec 09_insides.indd 1 27/11/09 14:11:00