As we come to the end of this year, it is natural to assess our performance and reflect on our achievements in 2016. Earlier this year we shared with you key elements of our revised business plan. Our Vision and Purpose is to be recognised as the ‘First Choice for Our Profession’ and to ‘Promote professionalism in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain’. The three key strategies underpinning our ambitions are as follows:

• Education and Services
• Developing a stronger brand – CILT
• Governance – continued application of strong principles and implementation of best practice

We have made a lot of progress in 2016 in these key areas but much more remains to be done. We are determined to further build on our achievements and enhance our performance while serving the best interests of our membership and industry sector. It is worth reflecting on and sharing some of our key achievements.

Education and Services

We continue to improve our Diploma course in Logistics and Supply Chain with new modules added and new highly qualified lecturers joining our academic team. We are currently preparing to submit the course for QQI accreditation which we plan to have completed in 2017.

CILT has had an ambition for many years to develop a degree programme as a natural follow on from our Diploma. This year we launched a new L7 degree course in collaboration with the Carlow Institute of Technology. This allows our Diploma graduates to migrate directly onto the degree course seamlessly and to progress their academic and professional ambitions.

The Institute successfully secured funding from Skillnets having made a very strong submission to develop a Skillnet Network for the Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics Sector in Ireland. We formally launched our Skillnet on the 21 November – already we have over thirty businesses who have signed up to join the ‘Network’ representing thousands of employees. This will allow these companies to avail of subsidised ‘Continuous Professional Development’ training for their people who can continue to grow their capabilities and improve the performance and contribution of our industry sector.
We also continued to deliver a wide range of events across the country throughout the year which were well supported and received.

Our Policy Committee have been particularly active and have produced a number of excellent papers which have been shared with our members and the relevant government/official bodies.

Governance

CILT complies with standard and legislative requirements in relation to our status as a registered charity e.g. charities and lobbying register, independent financial auditing provided by Brown Murphy & Hughes. We also comply with CILT International’s requirements in relation to their standards and expectations. We are very mindful of our duties in relation to compliance and the trust which is placed in us by our members. To this end, we have introduced a number of new initiatives to further protect CILT and implement and embed best practice.

The Institute sought and achieved accreditation to ISO 9001 this year and we were complemented by the lead auditor on the quality of our processes and systems. We also introduced an Internal Audit Committee with representation from a former senior leader from CILT UK as its Chairman. The Internal Audit Committee has also recruited an independent professional auditor to conduct a complete review of all our process, systems and services. The audit will commence at the end of November and a report will be presented early in the New Year.

The Institute also conducted a number of risk assessments and has developed appropriate risk mitigation actions that were necessary. Our journey continues and we will continue to strive for excellence in the application of best practice governance.

Strong Brand

CILT are currently developing a new and exciting website which we hope to launch formally in the New Year. The site will be user friendly, provide a better platform for our members to engage with CILT and deliver a fully integrated and automated online presence for candidates wishing to avail of our services.

We continue to foster and build stronger relationships with third level Colleges. The Institute promotes and supports a Student of the Year Award and provides a number of guest lecturers drawn from the industry who are members of the Institute. The work we are doing with Skillnets and Policy development as already outlined will continue to help build our brand presence.
The Institute also works closely with the Health and Safety Authority and Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport who have provided us with very positive feedback on our many initiatives to drive continuous improvement – we will continue to work collaboratively with both organisations and seek feedback as to how we can best enhance our relationships and the services we provide into the future.

Financials

Our financial position remains strong as evidenced in our annual report published early in the year and reviewed at our AGM. We have a strong balance sheet and our final year outlook predicts that we will deliver a surplus this year.

Our people

We have seen many changes in personnel during the year which has been both a challenge and an opportunity for our team. Jim Kearney retired this year after many years of dedicated and Trojan service to the Institute and our industry sector. Tim Hayes stepped down as CILT CEO in the summer having navigated the Institute through some difficult challenges (Tim continues to work on behalf of CILT on a part-time basis to further develop the Institute). We thank both of them and wish them continued best wishes. Helen Noble has taken up the position of Vice President of our National Council. Helen is a world expert in maritime lay and a wonderful addition to the team. Kevin Byrne will take up the position of CILT International President in 2017 and we wish him well.
I have provided an outline in this piece of just some of our initiatives and achievements this year. None of this could have been achieved without the dedication and commitment of the team at CILT. They have taken on new challenges, new ways of working and the development of a new organisational culture with great enthusiasm and determination; all of which will help to ensure that CILT will be the ‘First Choice for Our Profession’ in Ireland.

Conclusion

Much has been achieved this year. However, we need to continue to build on these successes and develop new objectives for 2017 – these are now in development and will soon be put to Council for ratification. I would like to thank our President for his continued guidance and support and the Council for their commitment and support right throughout the year. Also, I would like to thank all of our members for their continued support and commitment.

Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom beannachtaí an tséasúir a sheoladh chugaibh: Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faol shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.

Pat Treacy