Whitehall and Industry Group Members Learn About Travel Planning
The strong case for travel planning was pushed up the corporate agenda when it was the main theme at an influential forum set up to build understanding between government and business. The Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG), which brings regulators and wealth creators together for cross-sector workshop and networking events, recently hosted an event to demonstrate the strong business case for workplace travel planning.
Article from NBTN News. For more information contact: heather.mcinroy@nbtn.org.uk
NBTN helped develop the agenda for the practical workshop aimed at both public and private sector organisations, attended by nearly 40 delegates and hosted at IBM’s South Bank London headquarters. WIG membership is made up of 180 leading organisations in the public sector and private sector, finely balanced between the two. It includes top FTSE companies, central government departments, local authorities and other public sector organisations.
Speaking after a successful and lively event, NBTN Director, Heather McInroy, said: “It was just the type of audience that the NBTN needs to get the message across to that there are strong business reasons for adopting a travel strategy. And the presentations and speeches showed that no matter what sector you come from, private or public, there is an approach that will work for you. Whatever the nature of your business, travel plans promote more efficient ways of working, they cut costs, reduce carbon emissions and increase employee engagement.”
Samira Ahmed, Head of Transport Strategy at Sky, explained the satellite giants’ strategy to bring about the behaviour change as part of an ambitious travel plan to reduce single occupancy car commuting by nearly 30 per cent by 2015. Samira said that a combination of rewards, unrivalled facilities, attention to detail and consultation were key factors in Sky’s approach. Sky is the second FTSE 100 company and the first major media company to become carbon neutral.
With a population of nearly 700,000 that is expected to rise by 13 per cent by 2021, Suffolk County Council faces increased emissions and traffic congestion. Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Kerry Allen, told WIG members how she works with new housing and retail developments, workplaces and schools to promote sustainable travel. Suffolk aims to have 100 per cent coverage in schools by next year and the county council provides employers with a unique package of support. This removes the onus on employers to pay for travel plan infrastructure by working in partnership with transport operators and highway teams as part of a forum. Kerry also outlined Ipswich’s ambitious “Ipswich Smiles” programme that the council is hoping to attract funding for in the near future.
Michael Stephenson, Associate Partner at IBM, chaired the workshop and gave an insight into IBM’s current Smarter Planet campaign. The campaign highlights the need for the world’s infrastructure to become more intelligent. IBM believes that with its technological expertise and deep industry knowledge it can help companies and consumers be smarter.
Among the speakers were Bronwyn Hill, Director-General for City and Regional Networks who outlined current policy thinking and also announced the appointment of Business in the Community (BITC) to manage NBTN from 1 October 2009 and Patrick O’Meara, BITC’s Membership Director who expressed their delight in the appointment. Rosalind Wall from the DfT and Heather McInroy from NBTN also spoke about the importance of intelligent business access to reducing carbon emissions and its relevance to the private and public sectors. Round-table discussions at the end of the workshop enabled delegates to share best practice in addition to extended networking over a buffet lunch.
WIG, an independent, not-for-profit lobby organisation, runs around 50 events annually to encourage cross-sector dialogue and build understanding and co-operation between business and government. These include a broad range of workshops and networks tackling key issues of importance on topics such as climate change, procurement and talent management, to government and business, as well as social events and networking forums.
Heather thanked Michael Stephenson for the excellent hospitality and acknowledged IBM’s excellent Smarter Planet campaign. “IBM is doing great work in this area and I would like to thank them for welcoming us to their wonderful offices on the South Bank and being excellent hosts of a first-class event that helps promote more sustainable travel.”
The NBTN would also like to extend its thanks to the Whitehall and Industry Group for its involvement hosting the workshop and highlighting the importance of travel planning among its membership.
August 12, 2009
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“I am delighted with how things have progressed. The Travel Plan Builder website uses direct dialogue with relevant contacts at the Local Authority ensuring a speedy and simple process for all parties. I would certainly recommend the Travel Plan Builder website.”
Geoff Clark
Development Manager at Ravensworth Property Developments