Sally Muggeridge, Chief Executive IPT

Industry and Parliament Trust at 30

The IPT was established in 1977 to promote mutual understanding between legislators and wealth generators from all sectors of business. Specifically, what we do is provide programmes of study, research, education and training for legislators to understand business better and for business to improve their knowledge of the administration of Government both within the United Kingdom and the European Union. Our quarterly magazine "The Bridge" reflects the link we provide between the worlds of business and Parliament. IPT Vice President, John Sacher says that the IPT "was born out of mutual frustration and distrust".

Hopefully the IPT has helped and continues to help bring about some understanding of what creates wealth across the EU and how Parliaments grapple with the legislative process as it applies to business.

Over the years, we have developed several schemes in response to evolving needs and circumstances. These are: Fellowships, Study Programmes, a Civil Service Programme, a new local government programme plus research and events.

We arrange attachments of parliamentarians to companies for an agreed period, after full consultation between the various parties involved. These are known as Fellowships and are open to all MPs, Peers, UK MEPs and Senior Staff of the Houses of Parliament. An IPT Fellowship offers the parliamentarian a unique opportunity to spend time within a company, or a number of companies, over a period of up to 18 months. He or she engages in a series of activities arranged to suit both the parliamentary timetable and also the parliamentarian's individual needs and responsibilities. The Fellowship covers critical areas concerned with management and leadership and, through working closely with senior business leaders, offers a real insight for the parliamentarian into how business strategy is formulated and implemented.

MEP Fellowships currently in process are Richard Ashworth with Pfizer and David Martin with Johnson and Johnson. In the past Giles Chichester was placed with Unilever, Arlene McCarthy with Bloomberg. When the current Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon MP was an MEP he did his Fellowship with IBM and when John Bowis MEP was an MP he was a Fellow with Esso.

There are various types of Fellowship: company, small business, rural, university and our newest: a City Fellowship inaugurated in 2006 which provides a grounding in the complex institutions which make up the City of London and the important role played by the City in the UK economy.

Our study programmes are run for company representatives to develop their knowledge of the UK or EU political scene and the legislative process in Westminster or Brussels and include the Parliamentary Study Programme for Industry (PSPI), European Study Programme for Industry (ESPI) , Introduction to Westminster, Introduction to the EU , and Company Seminars.

Our civil service programme includes the opportunity for a nominated civil servant to shadow an MP for a day in the House of Commons and a couple of days (normally including a Friday) in the MP's constituency. The civil servant will also attend a half-day introduction and a full day seminar on the processes of Parliament. Seminars on the European Parliament and an attachment with an MEP are also offered. The IPT also offers an educational day in Parliament to learn about topics such as Select Committees, All Party Groups, the role of a Whip and life as a Backbencher.

Word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools plus personally encouraging MPs or MEPs to participate. In addition, I visit companies to discuss the work of the IPT. However, in the past two years our magazine The Bridge and our comprehensive website are very useful in providing a record in word and image of what we do. Many companies and businesses still say they do not know how to begin or sustain a dialogue with Parliament. Our aim is to continue to develop ways of allowing this to happen.

As the British economy has evolved so has the IPT. Whilst we still have traditional manufacturing and retail companies in membership, there has been a steady growth in representation from the services sector with financial services, universities and education, and increasingly marketing and other support services. We aim for a balance of sectors.

Last year we took twice as many companies to Brussels for our study visits as the year before and we anticipate this growth will continue. In fact the interest from companies and organisations based in Brussels has been so great that later this year we are aiming to open a small office in Brussels. Something fitting for our 30th anniversary as we continue to move with the times.

The best thing is for me to give you one or two quotes we have been collecting for our 30th birthday:

"My placement with the Industry and Parliament Trust was invaluable. It helped me to gain that extra insight and knowledge in into industry and business, which as legislators is so important. I would say that taking part in this placement has made me a more informed legislator." Arlene McCarthy MEP

"Anyone seeking a better understanding of the European Union would be well advised to book a place on the four-day European Study Programme for Industry." Dick Joseph, Tunstall Group Ltd.

"The Introduction to the EU was an excellent course and the chance to meet EU people (from the Commission, MEPs etc) is absolutely invaluable." Kathryn Fallon, The Royal Bank of Scotland.

I think the greatest benefit for Parliamentarians is getting a clear overview of a company or organisation's structural framework, current objectives and longer-term strategy. They get a practical appreciation of operations from grassroots activities to senior management, employer/employee relations and the organisation's relationship with investors and suppliers. They see the decision-making process, planning, budgeting, investment appraisal, growth prospects at home or abroad; and most importantly an understanding of the impact on business performance of Government policies as well as UK/EU legislation.

Companies on the other hand will come to see the many competing influences and interests which have to be taken into account in reaching parliamentary decisions, the heavy workload of an MP or MEP and have a greater understanding of the legislative and policy process. Taking part is also a great networking experience as you will meet people from many different sectors and walks of life. As always, new experiences offer new perspectives and different ways of looking at things which is always stimulating and productive.

I come from an extensive business background and had actually taken part in an IPT study programme in the early 90s, really enjoyed it and knew how useful a role the IPT plays. I was appointed as Chief Executive at the end of 2003 and the past three years have seen a major period of change and growth. Today everyone is concerned with the quality and quantity of legislation and I know that the work we do develops a genuine two-way dialogue which will go someway towards achieving our mission to ensure: that Britain has the best business-informed Parliament and the best parliamentary-informed business community in Europe .

For more information on the Industry and Parliament Trust:

http://www.ipt.org.uk The Trust has various special events planned for its 30th anniversary including a book of individual essays from those who have benefited from the work of the IPT past and present .

http://www.iabp.org for details of the International Association of Business and Parliament