BII urged to return to basic principles of standards and education

The Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) and the Guild of Master Victuallers (GMV) were responding to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser story last week in which BII chief executive Tim Hulme said the organisation had become “complacent” and “elitist”. He also said he believed the organisation had spread itself too thin by trying to fulfil too many roles, such as an awarding body, professional body, membership organisation, trade association and lobbyist.

Hulme said the organisation needed to change to survive and that the industry must decide what it wants from it.

FLVA president David Hawksworth said: “The answer is simple — a return to its founding principles of providing the education and training standards for
the industry.

“The FLVA, alongside others, contributed start-up funds for the establishment of the BII, leaving clear blue water between this role and that of tenants representation. Over the years, those waters have become muddied and overdue clarity is now required.

“Having recently taken the office of president of the FLVA, it is abundantly clear this principle and definition needs to be re-established and I am delighted that the GMV is supporting this call.”

Alex Frear, chairman of the GMV, agreed: “The BII has tried to be all things to all people and lost its way. It is very difficult to be piggy in the middle; you can’t represent all sides.

“So it’s a case of the BII going back to basics. Standards are the key to this.”