BEN ANNUAL LUNCH – 11 MAY 2006
14 May 2006 - BEN Motor & Alied Trades Benevolent Fund

Gerard Barclay, Chief Executive, of BEN, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund, recently welcomed automotive industry leaders and colleagues to the Savoy, London, for the occasion of BEN’s 16th Annual Lunch.

During his welcome address he thanked EurotaxGlass’s for its continuing sponsorship of BEN’s Annual Lunch which has become a major event in the automotive industry calendar. Mr Barclay went on to update his guests on BEN’s activities, during its Centenary Year, and was pleased to highlight some of the individuals and companies who made a special contribution during 2005.

Before commencing with BEN’s Award ceremony Mr Barclay asked Kevin Gaskell, CEO of EurotaxGlass’s and guest speaker Sir Digby Jones, Director General of the CBI to join him on the stage to make the presentations.

Finally, in memory of John Tinker, a member of BEN’s Board of Trustees, who was elected a Life Governor of BEN on 20 October 2005, David Prescott, retired Deputy CEO of BEN, presented a Certificate to John’s family. This was in recognition of his outstanding service to the Fund. Sadly, John died at the end of 2005 before he was personally presented with this.

Following a mouth-watering lunch David Prescott presented Christopher Macgowen, President of BEN, with a cheque for £9,000 in respect of the advertising profit generated from his book, ‘The Heart of an Industry’. Before the loyal toast, Kevin Gaskell, CEO of EurotaxGlass’s, congratulated the BEN team for its continuing level of commitment and dedication. He said that he considered it an honour to support BEN as the heart of the automotive industry.

Sir Digby Jones rounded the day off with a most entertaining and informative speech recounting his time with the CBI and amusing his audience with anecdotal stories. He has been the longest serving member within the CBI and is looking forward to joining Ford as an advisor. He went on to say, ''In the six and a half years that I have been privileged to lead British business you are the one sector that I tell the world about with enormous pride. Manufacturing is alive in Britain – the most productive car plant in Europe is Nissan in Sunderland and the most productive in the World is Ford’s Jaguar plant in Liverpool. Business makes the difference and the work that BEN does make a difference. It is about people who in themselves are lucky showing that we care for those who are not so fortunate and I commend you all to carry on your good work.''

www.ben.org.uk

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