AWARDS


CELEBRATING


OUR TENTH ANNIVERSAR Y YEAR


10TH ANNIVERSARY T


In 2017, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Relocate Awards, now regarded around the world as relocation’s most prestigious.


he Relocate Awards have evolved in response to the fast- moving global business environment, changing times, and feedback from HR and relocation professionals. For 2016,


we revised the categories to reflect relocation today, and streamlined the entry process. Entry to the 2017 awards will open in January, and we have some exciting new initiatives in the pipeline to mark this anniversary year.


Looking back … At the very first Gala Awards Dinner, in May 2008, Fiona Murchie, Relocate’s managing director, explained her reasons for founding an awards scheme for HR and relocation professionals. “Relocation is such a diverse profession: it embraces those in


HR managing international assignments and local moves and a huge range of service suppliers, both large and small, covering every conceivable area, from tax and immigration and visas to law, property, removals, schooling and partner support. “Relocation is a complex process, with lots of specialists. With


increasing numbers of companies operating globally, there is a growing demand for employees to work overseas to meet business needs, whether for short or longer-term assignments. Employee mobility is important domestically and internationally for strategic and career development reasons. “Relocation supports recruitment and retention, and is often


required as a result of mergers and acquisitions. Things move faster, lead times are shorter, and expectations are higher.” “But do the people in this complex world of managing international


assignments and relocation get the recognition they deserve, and does the wider world, both the private and public sector and the not-for-profit organisations, moving into new markets and facing new challenges – do they know about the sophisticated range of relocation support available, the services, the pool of talent and resources that exists? “Relocate magazine and these awards are bringing together


the many pieces of the jigsaw that make up the relocation picture and raising the profile of this key sector for the global economy.”


… and looking forward The complexities Fiona Murchie highlighted have only increased over the years. This tenth anniversary provides an opportunity both to review how relocation and global mobility have developed and to look ahead to the mobility of the future. We asked Dale Collins, 2016 chairman of the Worldwide ERC


board and chief innovation officer at Graebel Relocation Services, for his views on the challenges and opportunities that the next decade may hold in store.


Said Mr Collins, “Mobility will become an even more important


component of the global battle for talent than it is today. The corporate quest for growth and new markets demands it, and an emerging generation of business leaders wants the experience of working in markets around the world; they correctly see it as a prerequisite for professional development and advancement. “Long-term assignments will continue, but we’ll also see more


short-term assignments and extended business travel. Mobility programmes will become more flexible, with more options for assignees, more self-managed plans, and more value-added programmes. Younger assignees like to do things on their own and to make their own decisions based on personal priorities – but they still expect support from the employer, and our clients still need their mobility programmes to be compliant, especially in a time of increased scrutiny of all aspects of the global economy. “Cost pressures will continue, with HR and mobility leaders under


pressure to squeeze the most value out of every dollar, euro, pound or yen invested. “As mobility managers wrestle with uncertainty, complexity and a


constant ratcheting up of demands for performance, measurement, cost containment and compliance, they will need to become more thoughtful, more strategic and more focused on the overall talent management picture. In this environment, outsourcing programme and vendor management details will look like an increasingly good option, and in all cases – outsourced or not – clients will need enhanced access to mobility insights, analytics and best practices from around the world.” Paxton Companies provides removals, relocation and logistics


management services across the US and internationally. Says COO Bill Paxton, “In the household goods industry, narrowing financial margins will result in long-running agencies looking at other options to consolidate or merge with a large van line, which is growing the strength of the top players in the moving industry. “Corporate relocation is on the rise, presenting significant


opportunities, while shifting budgets from full service moves to more lump-sum and capped moves presents some challenges to serving our customers. The continued impact of US government regulations and mandates on household goods providers signifies an evolving industry weaving compliance with impactful technology and useful data.”


Sponsors and supporters on board We are thrilled that serviced apartment provider BridgeStreet Global Hospitality has again signed up as a sponsor this year.Explaining why the company had decided to sponsor for a second time, Shaun Hinds, managing director for EMEA and APAC, said, “BridgeStreet Global Hospitality was tremendously proud to be a sponsor of the ‘all new’


56 | Re:locate | Autumn 2016


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