Solvents Industry Association Annual General Meeting 2018
The Solvents Industry Association staged the 32nd Annual General Meeting on Thursday 11th October.
Delegates and guests from 25 companies attended the event at Mottram Hall in Cheshire, which included topical industry presentations from Cefic, International eChem, Hunton Woods and The European Solvents Industry Group.
SIA Chairman Mark Brunt commenced proceedings with an update of SIA activities over the previous 12 months, followed by Dr. Rob Oades, Chair of the SIA Technical Committee presenting the 2017-18 technical work programme and a preview of forthcoming SIA projects for 2018-19.
In line with the theme of the work of the SIA, Cornelia Tietz, Secretary General of the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG), then presented an update of solvent industry activities on a European level over the past 12 months and invited applications for the new ESIG Solvents Award www.esig.org/solventsaward2019/
Digital Forensic Investigation Specialist Dr. Paul Hunton from Hunton Woods Limited gave a thought-provoking presentation on the increasing threat of cyber crime in the working environment, as well as the risk to individuals of becoming a victim of credit card and online fraud.
In the final session the afternoon, the debate continued with a strong Brexit-related theme.
Longstanding partner of the SIA, Paul Hodges, Chairman of International eChem and ‘Ready for Brexit’ offered an informative view on what UK companies should be doing to prepare for the onset of Brexit in March 2019.
Paul Hodges addresses delegates at the AGM
Marco Mensink, Secretary General of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) rounded off proceedings with a unique European standpoint on what still needs to be done to achieve a Brexit deal which is acceptable for all parties. The event drew to a close with a questions and answer session from the floor.
Marco Mensink of Cefic with a unique EU perspective of the Brexit process
The Solvents Industry Association would like to thank all of the speakers for what made an interesting and informative session.
The evening dinner was preceded by presentations of the Annual SIA Golf Trophy to Philip Robinson of Caldic UK and the Gerald Soane Award for outstanding contribution to Health & Safety (reported separately).
For further information on the SIA, please contact Andrew Norman, General Secretary http://www.solvents.org.uk/contact-us/
