In partnership with Senate Media Ltd, we have produced an animation to shout about the value of associations! Please share it and use it to champion the value of joining an association, the power of collaboration and the brilliant work that associations lead.
Safety at work, working from home, employment law, contract disputes… the risks that a director is exposed to are only going up. Directors of limited companies are advised to protect themselves personally and reduce the risk of personal financial loss.
Being a director or officer of an organisation comes with many advantages – driving growth, creating a legacy, leading a purpose, but it also comes with personal risks – you could be financially liable for claims made against you personally for the decisions you make or actions you take on behalf of your organisation. Directors’ and officers’ (D&O) cover can provide protection for claims made against anyone in or acting in a managerial role for alleged wrongful acts carried out in their various roles in the work place.
Typical business insurance protects the organisation, but doesn’t protect the individual. That’s where Directors’ and officers’ cover steps in. D&O protects the private wealth of individuals against claims made against them personally, not the company.
Looking ahead in 2023/24, we face new and emerging risks. Employers should address the following issues and assess how their organisation can minimise the chance of a problem arising:
Cyber-crime— Data breaches and cyber-incidents can lead to severe losses for an organisation, but the fallout can result in even further damage. Directors and officers may be blamed for not ensuring that proper cybersecurity measures were taken, and may be targeted by those seeking compensation. Organisations should prioritise cyber-security precautions, such as backing up important information, monitoring internal networks and regularly training employees on how to recognise phishing and social engineering tactics.
Workplace misconduct— Bullying, harassment and misconduct are a liability for employers. Colleagues today take workplace misconduct seriously and are less willing to tolerate bullying or harassment. If a worker becomes a victim of unacceptable workplace behaviour— whether the source is a superior or a colleague— directors and officers may face prosecution for failing to provide employees with a safe working environment.
Environmental issues— Concerns about climate change have increased in recent years. Organisations and their leaders may be at risk of facing a claim if they are suspected of contributing to climate change or causing an environmental incident. Leaders must be sure that their organisation complies with any climate-related regulations or requirements.
Lack of diversity—Many organisations have already been targeted with legal action alleging that leadership has not done enough to encourage and increase diversity in the workplace. Activists against systemic racism have become more vocal in promoting equal opportunities for people of all races, genders, religions and orientations. Furthermore, UK employers with over 250 employees are now required to report gender pay gap information. Employers and their leaders should prioritise equality, diversity and inclusivity as part of their strategic initiatives.
Insolvency— As the UK economy continues to struggle, insolvency may become a more frequent issue, which could result in claims being filed while plaintiffs attempt to recoup losses from directors.
Trade association leaders juggle multiple risks on a daily basis. Ensuring you understand the risks you face will enable you to mitigate, manage and transfer those risks, allowing your organisation to grow and prosper with the confidence robust protection brings.
About Partners&
Partners& is a Chartered insurance broker providing specialist insurance, employee benefits, risk management and claims advice to businesses and private clients. As a next generation insurance advisory business, Partners& combines the best traditions of broking, such as technical advice and client service, with modern thinking and intelligent use of technology, to enhance the client experience and create a dynamic workplace for its talented team.
Recent accolades include the Best Diversity & Inclusion Programme and Best UK Start Up at the 2021 UK Broker Awards and the Diversity and Inclusion category at the Broker Innovation Awards 2022. It has also been awarded its second gold Investor in Customers award demonstrating its commitment to delivering exceptional client experience and, most recently, shortlisted for two British Insurance Awards: Commercial Lines Broker of the Year and Insurance Broker of the Year.
For more information, contact Malia Brown at malia.brown@partnersand.com or visit partnersand.com and LinkedIn.
Upcoming events
TAF run a regular programme of events for members and the wider sector throughout the year, ranging from webinars to networking and awards.
Check out what we have in the diary below and make sure to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about future events.
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On Wednesday 17th November 2021, TAF was delighted to launch its Salary & Benefits Benchmarking Report for 2021, providing up-to-date information on salaries, pay awards and benefits offered by associations.
The data was collected during September and October 2021 and combines the data from 79 respondents. The report has been prepared with support from Ellwood Atfield.
The data shows:
- 27% saw a reduction in staff numbers in 2020
- Furlough was used by just over 50% of respondents
- 33% said that Covid-19 had affected their ability to increase staff pay in 2021, and 29% that they had not awarded or budgeted for salary increases in 2021.
- 64% of associations are looking to recruit, a figure that has almost doubled from our last survey in 2019 when just 36% of associations were planning to hire
- Just 8% have or are planning to return to full-time office working. 83% will adopt hybrid working and 8% are allowing staff to work from home permanently.
You can see the slides from the presentation below.
The full report and data tables provide a wealth of further information.
The report is free to those that participated, for TAF members the cost is £100 and non-members £150.
The report is available for purchase on the TAF Shop.
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Open in new tab With social media’s exploding popularity, it is increasingly risky for trade associations to ignore this medium. Whether promoting a new service or gauging consumer reactions, organisations today are dangerously close to becoming “behind the times” if they are not present on social media.
For more information on how social media can benefit your trade association please click here
You and your colleagues are invited to a special Brexit Readiness Briefing with officials from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Our colleagues at the Aluminium Federation will be hosting BEIS at the Advanced Engineering Show on 30 and 31 October. Throughout the day, officials will be giving free consultations where they answer your technical questions about Brexit.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to discuss company-specific Brexit questions
Key areas to consider are:
• Importing and exporting – using your EORI number, managing customs declarations, understanding applicable tariffs, and dealing with EU customers to determine where tariff liabilities lie • Regulation and compliance – including REACH registration validity, quality testing and marking • Employment – managing your EU workforce and understanding the settlement scheme • Personal data – ensuring you have the right contractual cover for transferring personal data to and from the EU • Access to funding – including how Brexit affects grants and financing • Intellectual property – protecting your IP in EU markets after Brexit
Secure your place at a free Brexit Readiness Briefing
• When: 30 October (9am – 5pm) and 31 October (9am – 4pm) • Where: NEC Birmingham, Stand J82e (Aluminium Pavilion)
There are 2 steps you need to take to secure your place:
- Register for your free Brexit Readiness Briefing – this gets you a slot to meet with Government officials
- Get your free Advanced Engineering Show delegate pass – this gains you entry to the show itself and comes from the show organisers
BEIS and the Aluminium Federation will also be speaking as part of the seminar programme each day about Brexit and how the Government is building relationships with business. The Aluminium Federation has received Government funding to help companies prepare for a nodeal Brexit. They’re working with us and the wider business community to ensure you have the support you need. If you have any questions, please contact me t_jones@alfed.org.uk.
Kind regards
Tom Jones CEO Aluminium Federation
The Bank of England’s new polymer £20 note is coming on 20 February 2020. It features the artist JMW Turner.
For more information please visit the dedicated web page below:
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/polymer-20-pound-note
The new note’s security features are shown in this film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosX5LvJRdM
Many businesses, regardless of industry, are risking their own survival by unwittingly remaining underinsured. A disastrous event can strike a business at any moment, leaving it vulnerable.
Please click here or on the PDF below for more information
CPA Conference – Thursday 17th October
Heart of England Conference & Events Centre, Fillongley, Coventry
CONFERENCE TIMETABLE
08:30 – EVENT OPENS
Refreshments, registration and exhibition
09:15 – CONFERENCE STARTS
Conveyor – Merryn Myatt, Perris Myatt
Welcome – Kevin Minton, Construction Plant-hire Association
09:45 – 12:00 – MORNING SESSION
THE PLANT-HIRE INDUSTRY IN 2019 AND BEYOND
Panel session involving Katie Kelleher from Select/Laing O’Rourke and Belinda Naylor and Ian Webster from Webster Technologies
REFRESHEMENT BREAK AND EXHIBITION
DEVELOPING RISK MANAGEMENT IN YOUR BUSINESS
Merryn Myatt leads the discussion on how businesses can cope with unexpected issues and media attention
MENTAL HEALTH TOOLKIT FOR CONSTRUCTION
Douglas McLuckie from A-Plant and Bill Hill from Building Metal Health discuss what steps organisations can take to help staff and identify issues at an earlier stage
12:00 – LUNCH AND EXHIBITION
13:15 – 15:00 – AFTERNOON SESSION
PLANT THEFT AND FRAUD
Iain Anderson from GAP Group, Kevin Howells from Datatag and Mike Gregory from JCB Insurance Services discuss the latest developments and trends in plant theft and fraud and how to combat them
CPA SKILLS STRATEGY 2019/2020
Paul Skitt and Chris Cassley discuss the skills strategy and discuss how CPA members can become involved in the working group; Paul Whitehead from Highways England and Mark Warrilow of HS2 talk around the need to upskill the workforce and drive home recruitment
15:00 – CONFERENCE CLOSES
For more information and to reserve your tickets please visit:
https://www.cpa.uk.net/cpa-conference-2019/
A report issued by the construction industry’s Competence Steering Group (CSG) is recommending the use of UKAS accredited certification to ensure the competence of personnel involved with High Risk Residential Buildings (HRRBs).
The CSG was established, under the leadership of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), to address the criticisms and recommendations relating to competence laid out in the final report of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. The CSG’s report, issued on 16th August, recommends that all HRRB personnel are registered to a recognised professional body or certified by an independent certification body. The report goes on to advocate that those bodies carrying out the competency assessments of HRRB personnel should themselves be subject to rigorous oversight by an appropriate body, such as the Engineering Council or UKAS.
In addition to endorsing a system of UKAS accredited certification, the CSG’s report also calls for Government support to ensure that all the relevant organisations and individuals covered by HRRB regulations demonstrate their competence in the prescribed manner.
Welcoming the CSG’s report, Hugh Taylor, UKAS External Affairs Divisional Director said: “When it comes to high risk residential buildings, such as high rise tower blocks, it is essential that those individuals working on them have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to do so safely and effectively. UKAS is pleased to see that the CSG’s report recognises the valuable role that accreditation plays in delivering confidence in the competency assessments of the designers, specifiers, installers and other professionals who together construct and maintain HRRBs. UKAS is continuing to work closely with the CIC, Engineering Council and other key stakeholders to help finalise the definition of competence for working on HRRBs, and to develop a suitable programme for implementing all the necessary assessment and accreditation procedures.”
A full copy of the report, which is open for consultation until 18th October 2019, can be found here http://cic.org.uk/news/article.php?s=2019-08-16-construction-and-fire-industries-set-out-sweeping-proposals
ENDS.
Notes to editors
• The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body for the UK. Its role is to check that organisations providing conformity assessment services such as certification, testing, inspection and calibration services, are meeting a required standard of performance. The assessment criteria used by UKAS are internationally recognised as being the best indicators of accurate, impartial and consistent performance. UKAS accreditation demonstrates an organisation’s competence, impartiality and performance capability against internationally recognised standards. For further information about UKAS accreditation please visit www.ukas.com
For further media information please contact Phil Russell in the press office:
T: 020 7689 5155 E: ukas@clear-group.co.uk