TAF is a great opportunity for industries to collaborate

Editorial from our MD, Richard James Smith about the importance of collaboration across trade associations. Working together on our commonalities and joint challenges makes us all stronger...

Alongside my role as Managing Director of the largest and only dedicated trade association representing 8,500 HGV, LGV and coach operators, since last September, I have had the honour of chairing the Trade Association Forum (TAF), a post which I am due to hold for a further two years.

TAF is the leading representative body for UK trade associations, helping 174 members to engage, improve and lead their sectors. Collectively, TAF members represent over 190,000 businesses making it one of the UK’s largest business groups alongside the likes of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 

TAF was set up by and continues to be supported by the Department of Business and Trade. We are grateful for their support for ensuring that Trade Associations are effective representatives of their sectors and the challenges they face in implementing government policy and driving Economic growth.

For many in business, there has never been a more challenging time, and this is certainly true in the road transport industry where insolvency figures are at their highest since records began. For those that are surviving, across almost every industry sector there is a relentless tidal wave of challenges which include rising operating costs, insufficient skills and labour and meeting ambitious environmental targets to name only a few.

In recent years, we have proven at Road Haulage Association (RHA) how collaborating with others who share the same challenges can help to embrace policy makers and find solutions. 

During my remaining time as Chair of TAF, I am keen to continue working closely with my colleagues on the board, made up of representatives drawn from other member associations such as the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and the Chemical Business Association, to develop the organisation, to strengthen our position as one of Britain’s leading voices for businesses and to identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration on shared interests – to enable TAF members (which includes RHA) to deliver even more value to those who they represent.