Anthony Cooney - New CEA Chairman

'Prior to taking office two years ago, I posed the question to the CEA Board as to whether the members of the Board wished me to continue with the status quo or to implement change. The decision was taken to implement change.

Following a process of strategy development, led by Derek Caswell, we have made quite a number of changes within the CEA during the past two years. Primarily these changes are

  1. Liam Mongey has taken over as Company Secretary from John Walsh. We are all indebted to Liam for taking over this responsibility. Liam has already stamped his own authority over the Board and I know will also be a superb ambassador for the CEA. His strength in networking within the CEA and with related associations is legendary. He will also be a stern task master for Board members. Most important he has taken the CEA to heart and it will be safe under his care.
  2. We are working more closely and for a more extended period with EXPO Events with a view to improving both the quality and foot fall at CATEX, so as to secure our major source of income.
  3. John Walsh has taken over the role of CEA Treasurer. This is an important position of care and trust. The CEA is financially as strong as ever, and I am sure will remain so under his management.
  4. We have appointed IBEC as our administrative, lobbying, technical and meeting room provider. This is probably the single biggest change.

During this period and resulting from it, we have made some significant achievements, including:

  1. Increased membership to an all time high of over 50 members, with a number more in the pipeline.
  2. The most successful CATEX in terms of income and numbers in recent years.
  3. The negotiation of the implementation of the WEEE Directive for members of the association.
  4. The Development of a working Technical Committee to monitor new legislation which impacts on CEA members.
  5. Greater contact with related industry associations, notably the Panel of Chefs, CMAI, the RAI, the IHI, attending the Hotel and Catering Review Awards Dinner and the Bartenders' Association. To all of these I extend my thanks for their hospitality over the past two years.
  6. International impact through Brian O'Keeffe's Presidency of EFCEM, which is experiencing a resurgence of both membership and activity during his term in office. I congratulate Brian on his success, and encourage as many members as possible to attend the EFCEM Annual Conference on 6th to 7th June next in Venice.

Much of this change is still bedding into place. Yet I leave office with a sense of frustration that I have not achieved a great deal more and of the great amount of work that can and remains to be done for the CEA to come near to achieving its great potential. The CEA can and should be a major source of support, knowledge and networking benefit to members as well as a driving influence within the catering industry.

I have been lucky enough to experience some of these benefits during my term in office, obtaining an understanding of the impact of European Legislation, meeting with members, and gaining a much better understanding of the industry.

I hope that the new CEA structures will make these benefits available to all members, with legislative lobbying at European and National level, regular technical updates to members noting the implications and the advantages that can be achieved with early knowledge of these developments. Also, greater opportunities to meet on social and topical matters as well as building CATEX to greater strength.

None of the above could have been achieved without the immense support of my fellow Board members, who must at times have had both individual and group misgivings, but always supported my actions. I thank each and all of you. While it is unfair to single out individuals, it would be wrong not to thank John Walsh for his many years of successful ownership of the CEA; to thank Liam for the energy with which he has taken up his role as Secretary; To thank one of our new Board members, Brian Brady, who has headed up the Technical Committee and his all work in relation to the WEEE Directive and liaison with the Department in this regard; To thank Expo Events, and in particular Garret Buckley, for their exceptional input to CATEX; and to thank IBEC and in particular Adrienne McDonnell and Paul Kelly for taking up and running with the CEA brief.

I would also like to mention Hotel and Catering Review for their ongoing support of the CEA, in particular to congratulate Simon Grennan on his appointment as Managing Director of the publication and recognise the considerable achievement of his father Frank in creating "the" catering industry journal.

Finally, I would like to thank those who have agreed to succeed me. Michael Flannery, as Vice Chairman, whom I know will work hand in glove with Liam, and no one will escape once they have been targeted by this duo. Finally, I especially thank Anthony Cooney, who took up through Irish Merchants, the sponsorship of CATEX at the last moment in 2007. I wish you, Anthony, every success during your term in office.