With the Autumn conference now behind us we are looking forward to an interesting year for MGI member firms in the UK & Ireland. With Peter as the international chairman and Roger taking a lead role in the implementation and technical committees for the network project, we are as an area helping to shape the future for MGI.

As a region we need to consider our local structure and constitution. It may now be time to formalise what MGI UK & I is and how membership is managed. Indeed, we may well need to change our operating name.

However, whilst these issues are key to MGI, the really important issues are the strength of our member firms and your individual plans for the year ahead. The last couple of years have seen a lot of merger activity with a number of you taking over other practices. From what I hear this is set to continue. The business drive being shown by members reinforces the view that we have the right type of members in the UK & Ireland. There were a number of membership enquiries last year but few showed the business appetite that currently exists. However, I am hopeful that one or two of these will become members in the year ahead.

The year starts with an MGI/SWAT training day on 9 January, the second of nine such days planned over a three year cycle. I will circulate a seminar programme shortly but in the meantime I would be pleased to hear your suggestions for any new topic areas. We have an AGM planning meeting on 13 January as it is now only 9 months until this is held in London.

I look forward to meeting you at MGI events and in your offices over the coming year and am always pleased to hear from you about issues or opportunities that you or MGI are facing.

Paul