UKLA President’s Report
Every UKLA President taking on the role has two sets of priorities. The first most obvious is common to all; the continued good governance of the Trade Association, and additionally the requirement to ensure that the robust financial situation that UKLA now enjoys is preserved.
The second are those personal objectives as President which, whilst needing to fit with the strategic direction of UKLA, are a reflection of the personal interpretation of the direction of UKLA.
Those personal objectives in my own case were threefold:- • In the current econo-political environment for UKLA to get closer to the appropriate departments of UK Government
• To re-invigorate UKLA’s training offer • To continue the trend of UKLA contributing in a meaningful fashion to the President’s Charity
On that basis halfway through the Term of this Presidency it seems reasonable to conduct a quick Review.
The Good Things Two very successful events in the form of the Annual Dinner which in terms of format, speaker and financial result was very satisfactory, followed more recently by the excellent RAF Club Lunch, my first but certainly not my last.
The Board of UKLA and the strong Succession Plan continue to be a key point in terms of the current management and the future of your Association.
The Presidents Charity, the St Paul’s Eye Unit in Liverpool, UK has benefitted from your outstanding generosity in raising over £2,788.78.
The Secretariat of UKLA led by David Wright, including the activities of Lube Magazine is not only under complete control but producing new initiatives on a regular basis.
UEIL President’s Report
Since last time I wrote to you, a dramatic ‘heart attack’ occurred. I’ve always thought of Brussels as the heart of Europe, the place where all the European political decisions takes place and where 28 Member States decide together about the future and wellness of their citizens. This heart has suffered an attack. Never more than today, Europe should feel united and cohesive to defend its freedom and values. I express my condolences on behalf of UEIL to the victims and relatives who have suffered from this cowardly attack of violence.
Talking about unity, UEIL has been striving to ensure that NOT all lubes are included under the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS), trying to limit it to those that are subject to fraud and smuggling in transboundary movements and to make sure that lubricants are not widely taxed in Europe. An ad hoc UEIL Task Force is working on this issue. The relevant meetings at the European level took place in May – contact us for updates
info@ueil.org.
Reflecting on the important event of ICIS in London (where an ICIS/UEIL partnership has been established to better promote our respective events), amidst a climate of recession and depressed prices, the operators are looking for a better future and are looking for strengthening co-operations and business developments.
We are already looking ahead to the UEIL Annual Congress taking place in Berlin, and preparations have been intensified. To make this a memorable congress, the programme committee has been working hard to find the best speakers and the most relevant topics
The Frustrating Things The search for a suitable investment property as the future permanent home of UKLA continues but without much success. The need to combine offices, a training environment and sufficient parking seems to have defeated us so far.
Re-inventing the Certificate of Lubricant Competence is under way but has not happened in time for the 2016 version - it will be suitably updated and modernised from 2017.
Relations with Government on various topics including particularly the potential for lubricants to be included within the EMCS Regulations continue and whilst we have re-established a firm dialogue with BIS and HRMC progress is slow as is commitment from their side.
The Rest
It is sad that we have lost the most expert input of Peter Vickers as the UKLA representative to UEIL’s Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee following the untimely death of his beloved wife Kerstin, I am sure you will all join me in hoping that Peter will be able to resume his involvement as soon as possible.
By the time you read this the BREXIT referendum will be imminent. The UKLA Board has certainly not avoided this issue but felt it was not in a professional position to offer comment or advice to Members, hopefully it will have been resolved in a manner which is in the best interest of our companies and our children.
With six short months to run as President I am beginning to feel the frustration of a term which lasts only a year!
I wish you all a happy and successful Summer
Hugh Dowding UKLA President
for our industry (taxation of lubricants, biolubricants, the impact of the oil price in the industry, amongst others). Would you like to get more involved? Take a look at the sponsorship opportunities we put together on our website
www.ueil.org.
The last UNITI Mineral Oil Technology Congress in Stuttgart surprises me in every edition! 600 attendees, amazing! I have to congratulate Edwin Leber, Immo Kosel and all the UNITI team for the excellent result and for the extremely interesting topics. I also had the pleasure to attend the ELGI Annual General Meeting in Venice where Terry Dicken, with the support of Carol Koopman, had organised an excellent meeting with more than 350 people. For the first time in the lubricating oil field a symposium focused on ‘Sustainability’ - I believe this is essential, in a world increasingly focused on the circularity of our economy. Great atmosphere and great networking for everybody attending the meeting and the working group sessions, concluded with a superb masquerade ball Gala Dinner.
As a final note, the last UEIL Board of Directors, Committees and General Assembly meetings took place on the week of 23 May 2016.
Don’t hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions
info@ueil.org
Fabio Dalla Giovanna UEIL President
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.133 JUNE 2016
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