Key extracts from the Chief Executive Officer’s speech delivered at the IIMS London Conference 2019 Dinner held at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace in central London.
“Mr President. Past Presidents. Distinguished guests. IIMS members. Ladies and gentlemen.
After more than five years at the helm, I have learnt a considerable amount about this remarkable and vital profession in which most of you are engaged and earn your living from.
What I now realise is that IIMS has a louder international voice than ever before. We can and do articulate opinions and concepts that are increasingly heard both in the UK and on the world stage too - and not just by marine surveyors, but also by those who engage marine surveyors. Our network and reach as an organisation have vastly widened.
It is for these reasons that I feel IIMS is perfectly placed to develop and launch a minimum worldwide standard for marine surveyors. I refer of course to the Marine Surveying Practitioner accreditation scheme, voted in favour of by members at last year’s AGM. The clock is ticking and roll out is approaching.
These are bold statements to make and a massive project to deliver.
Presentation of awards
Yet as I gaze back with pride at the huge strides we have made in recent years, and when I look ahead to the opportunities before us, I believe I can make these statements with a degree of comfort, if not certainty. IIMS is not frightened to lead in these vitally important and difficult areas; we seek to take the initiative and to break down barriers. The impending launch of the Marine Surveying Practitioner Accreditation scheme is all about improving standards – nothing more, nothing less. Many will have heard me talk about the importance of standards before. But they really matter in an ever evolving and regulatory world where we are all expected to be able to prove our competence in something or another by verification, certification, examination or accreditation.
The institute helps those entering the surveying profession through our education distance learning programmes. But that’s just the start. Additionally, we provide opportunities for journey men and women surveyors to become better at their job helped by our regular training activities around the globe; and I believe we help good surveyors to become true professionals. That in my opinion is what the role of the Institute should be as the leading professional worldwide body for marine surveyors. Marine surveying is not a profession for incompetent fools who are long on promises, but
After dinner came the presentation of awards. President Capt Zarir Irani handed the Honorary awards to Peter Harris (Honorary Member) and
Peter Harris (left) receiving an Honorary Membership
short on detail. We must take the initiative in driving standards ever upwards and we are.
This year like no other, we have pushed ahead with an aggressive strategy on many fronts, including expanding our digital platform, as we continue to grow our footprint in the sector.
In terms of member benefits, in the past year alone we have launched the new Marine Surveyor Search app, a copyright free photobank, a podcast page with access to over 40 audio presentations and have created a safety briefing page dump on the website with access to hundreds of incident and accident reports.
All of this activity requires some financial investment, but more importantly, it requires good people to make it happen.
I am lucky to be surrounded by a dedicated, first class team at head office. It is at this time of year that the job description and contracted hours simply go out of the window! Organising a London Conference is exhausting. My thanks particularly to Camella Robertson, Membership Secretary and Office Manager who has done so much to make this event work, supported by her team Lorna Robinson, Craig Williams, Tania Bernice and Dave Parsons. Jen Argent, Financial Controller is
Capt Nick Sloane (Honorary Fellow). Mike Schwarz presented one to Carey Golesworthy (Honorary Member) at a later date as he was not there in person.
Capt Nick Sloane (left) receiving an Honorary Fellowship
The Report • September 2019 • Issue 89 | 33
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