The UK IT Association (UKITA) Annual General Meeting for 2009 was sucessfully held on Wednesday, 30th September at the International Digital Lab, Warwick. More than 20 member companies were represented and it was deemed a great success by all.

Mr Charles Huthwaite, the UKITA Chairman, gave praise to Fred Noble (for Finance and CEO work), Andy Corbett and Nigel Babb (both for work on the new Website project). UKITA also welcomed back Tom Brookes, after a 9 month absence following a serious car accident. Charles also stressed the importance of the new website and that this was the key focus point for work now by UKITA.

1) How the concept of ‘FREE’ can help your sales
Mr Wayne Chopping of Steam Software gave a  mini-presentation on the concept of how ‘free’ can help businesses. The key notes are available for Members only who will need to log into the UKITA website to view these.

2) Financial Statement – 2008
Mr Fred Noble has been working as the Finance Director for UKITA and presented the final accounts for 2008. The accounts run from January to December each year and are file with Company House as legally required. These were agreed. 


UKITA has undergone some major positive changes post-funding in 2009, these include:
Re-branding
New Website
Relocation
Established as the UK representing body on the PIN SME European Board
Future involvement planned for upcoming projects and European Bids
Expansion (new branches)


3) Chair's Report – UKITA - ‘Where have we come from and where are we going?’ (please also log in to view) 

4) The new Constitution

The new Constitution was approved. It updates the old versions that were either WMita or UKita pre-branding and re-organisation.

5) Directors of UKITA
The Directors were all standing for re-election. No new suggestions were received. They were all successfully re-elected and agreed upon for another year’s term. These roles are thus;


o UKITA Chair & Hereford and Worcester Director – Charles Huthwaite
o Finance Director – Fred Noble
o Quality Director – Flick Wheeler
o Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Director – Helen Wheeler
o Black Country Branch Chair & Director – Nigel Babb
o Shropshire Director – Andrew Corbett
o Staffordshire & West Midlands Director – Tony Bowers
o East Midlands Director – Stuart Farmer

6) The Quality Mark  

Renewals of their Quality Mark were successfully renewed and awarded to Martin Bird and Blue Orange Marketing at the AGM.

It was explained how UKITA (in regards its QM directory) were working with Business Link. This exchange of references on their Supplier Register would reduce repetition and duplication in providing work references and speed up both application processes for both organisations through data sharing.

7) The International Digital Lab – Opportunities for Members