Speaking at the BII’s Summer Event in London yesterday, Clist said membership had risen by 10% in 2015 and now stood at 8,732.
Addressing guests from the trade at the event, he said: “I am really pleased to be able to report at my first Summer Event that the BII is in a healthy position. Revenue has grown year-on-year by 9%, our profit and losses show a small surplus, membership has grown by 10% and we are managing our cash flow well and our reserves remain strong.”
Clist admitted the organisation had “slightly lost sight” of its purpose in the past few years. “We say you should join the BII because it stands for excellence in professional standards and recognises that excellence through awards, but I am not sure we have delivered it. So starting today, we will be putting the pride back in to being a member of the BII,” he said.
A new membership offer will be introduced in the coming months, which provides access to more benefits and deals including insurance, food purchasing and professional services.
Advice
Clist called on the pubcos to help with the recruitment drive. “I want to challenge the companies represented to think about encouraging or signing up your tenants to full membership,” he said.
Clist joined the BII in April after several years heading up Fuller's tenanted division.
The BII has approached surveyors who work under the umbrella of the Pub Independent Rent Review Service to form a specialist panel to advise tenants on the market rent only-option (MRO) and offers being made to them by pubcos under the new pubs code.
The service, which includes free telephone advice, will be open to members of the BII, ALMR and FLVA and be available from next month.
The event also saw this year's Licensee of the Year Award winner crowned.