More of the same theme for new BPF President

At the recent annual meeting of the BPF's Council at the Bank of England, Mike Boswell, newly elected Federation President, outlined the theme for his two year Presidency.

“I am continuing with the overall theme of my distinguished predecessor Philip Watkins namely: ‘A Sustainable Plastics Industry – A Strategic Asset in our Manufacturing Economy’,” Mr Boswell said.

“I want to focus on realising our industry’s growth and innovation potential; and securing investment in UK Plastics Manufacturing,

“The BPF can help to achieve these aims by working to meet our industry’s needs in: finance; energy; skilled staff; and a stimulus for construction."

Under those four headings Mr Boswell outlined the current and future work the BPF would be undertaking, including the availability and affordability of finance for plastics firms to enable them to fulfil their potential; reducing energy use through the new BPF Climate Change Agreement; defining what the industry needs in terms of skilled staff and also implementing measures to stimulate property buying and building in the construction industry.

A substantial part of the Council Meeting was dedicated to presenting the results of the BPF's latest Business Conditions Survey to senior Bank of England staff. Council Members were able to discuss and explain the trends in their particular sectors with the Bank's Agent for Greater London, Peter Andrews, and its Deputy Governor, Charlie Bean, a member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee.