Two new presidents and two new Board members joined the line-up of the FIDI Global Alliance at its recent conference in Boston, USA.
The new president of FIDI is Rupert Morley, CEO of Sterling Relocation which has its headquarters in West London. The new President of FIDI’s 35 Club (for younger members of the industry) is Aulina Mithal-Sood of Star Worldwide in India. Stepping off the FIDI Board were Thomas Hanbo, its former Treasurer and Al Mithal of Star Worldwide. New arrivals were Freddy Paxton III of Paxton International in the USA and Robert Chipman of Asian Tigers Mobility in Asia.
During the conference delegates heard about a relaxation in the rules governing branch offices, amendments to FIDI’s now well established FAIM programme and changes to its financial protection scheme designed to bring it more into alignment with current trading conditions in the industry.
FIDI also formally launched its new e-learning programme, developed by its Academy to help members offer new hires (and staff requiring refresher courses) a grounding in international moving without actually having to leave the office. Chantal Fera, the Academy Manager estimates that the new programme enables new hires to be up and running within two weeks instead of the usual 24.
The new Payment System allows members to make all their international payments once or twice a month through a single financial centre, so reducing bank charges for financial transfers. FIDI estimates that the system can save companies substantial sums of money annually.
Four Harvard professors featured in the business sessions while the social aspects of the conference were not neglected either with opening and closing parties and a night in the Boston Museum of Science hosted by FIDI USA, the American arm of FIDI membership.
The next FIDI conference is in Greece next year, from 12-16 May.
The new Fidi Board - back row from left: Rob Chipman, Asian Tigers Mobility; Piet van Herk, Voerman International; Rupert Morley, Sterling Relocation; front row from left: Errol Gardiner, New Zealand Van Lines; Orphee Moschopoulos-Beinoglou, Orphee Beinoglou International Forwarders; Freddy Paxton III, Paxton International and Mario Martinez, Security International Moving.
The new 35 Club Board - from left: Angie Mirams, Welti-Furrer; Armand Guillemoteau, JVK International Movers; Aulina Mithal-Sood, Star Worldwide (President); Patrick Makurat, Brauns International, and Caroline Mason, John Mason International. Patrick and Armand were elected during the 35 Club conference in Boston.