BII Annual Lunch

BII Chief Executive Peter Thomas used his first public address as the head of the licensed hospitality industry’s professional body, to rally support against Government cuts in funding, which he said will directly hit the industry’s plans to develop career paths for young people and get unemployed into sector-related jobs.

Speaking at the BII’s Annual Lunch at the Grosvenor House on Tuesday, May 8, Thomas called on Government to get the funding sorted for Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeships as a matter of urgency, fearing that without full and proper financing the sector was being deprived of opportunities to attract, train and help the next generation of professional licensees succeed and prosper.

The BII Annual Lunch - which is generously supported by Britvic Soft Drinks and attended by BII members, the trade leaders, licensees, pub companies, media and officials – is one of the key calendar events of the year, and Thomas took the opportunity to expound the main issues facing the BII today and into the future.

Praising the great success of the 31-year-old Mahdis Neghabian of the Camden Eye in London, who was announced the 2012 Licensee of the Year at the event, Thomas said: “The future is about young people. The future is about doing our bit to help them into work. To help them find self worth and self esteem in employment. Today we have had a brilliant example of what is possible – of what can be done.

“Our Licensee of the Year, Mahdis Neghabian, at 31, with over six years’ experience, has been growing the business by more than 20% a year since 2009…. Mahdis represents the way forward: education, training, supportive employers, plus a responsibility about what our business is about. A focus on what can be done,” said Thomas, who took the opportunity to thank everyone who had sent messages of support during what’s been a challenging few months in the run-up to his appointment as permanent Chief Executive last month.

Thomas went on to inform the 1,400 guests that BII was firmly focused on representing members’ views, and cited recent, successful initiatives such as the BII work on smoking and future of signage, the late night economy, crime reduction and alcohol awareness.

There would, warned Thomas, be a tougher stance too, particularly in tackling misuse of the BII name and logo. “Our logo is precious. At times it is used in the wrong place and in the wrong way by the wrong people. I intend to do something about this. If you are not a recognised, qualified member, or if you don’t have 2012 approval to use our name and logo, then I will be talking to you. I am not prepared to see our logo and all it stands for devalued or misused.”

In references to plans for reorganisation, Thomas said his focus was firmly set on the future. It’s time, he said, to “look ahead, to get on board with e-learning, social networks, new technology, new communications and set a new agenda for our business”.

He continued: “It’s time to look ahead at the 21st century needs of our members and their business aspirations.”
 
Thomas concluded: “BII has had 30 great years. I am going go work hard to put it on the right track for the next 10 years and beyond.” He vowed to listen to members and remain active in all of today’s issues. The BII, he emphasised, “would work with others to make sure at the heart of this trade of ours is BII. Your BII.”

Follow BII events @BIIEvents