November 09, 2018 Industry news
Taking place on 1 November in the City of London, GS1 UK’s 42nd annual general meeting (AGM) wrapped up a year of prolific growth for the standards and data management organisation.
Gary Lynch, CEO of GS1 UK announced 2017–18 as the “best ever year for membership”, with more than 7,000 new joiners in the last 12 months.
This year-on-year growth of more than 13 per cent was ascribed to the influence of small businesses trading on e-marketplaces that mandate the use of GS1’s Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs).
A large part of the meeting was dedicated to the recent launch and rapid uptake of productDNA, a product data management solution co-developed with the retail industry and released in 2018.
The service has already been adopted by the likes of brands and retailers such as Unilever, Tesco and Ocado, as well as a host of smaller brands and suppliers.
As well as the passing of all tabled motions and the reporting of the financial results for 2017–18, GS1 UK’s three-year strategy for 2018–21 was unveiled, with a commitment to solving industry challenges through trusted data.
Award-winning contributions
The AGM also played host to the fourth annual GS1 UK champion awards, in which the organisation recognises members who have helped develop and promote GS1 standards to benefit their businesses, as well as industry at large.
This year, GS1 UK honoured: Kirsty Keoghan, Paul Sumner, the Scan4Safety project team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Denis Turnbull.
Winning the accolade of GS1 UK industry champion, Kirsty’s work as senior director, seller marketing and partnership EU at eBay has been vital in combating GTIN sellers across the platform and underscoring GS1 UK’s position as the only legitimate source for acquiring GTINs.
Her award was accepted in absentia by Emma Grant, head of seller experience at eBay.
Paul Sumner, project manager at Tesco also received an industry champion award for his pivotal work in developing the productDNA data platform, ensuring that the service was fit for purpose for retail-centric members of all sizes.
The Scan4Safety project team at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust was given the GS1 UK healthcare champion award, for encouraging a fundamental shift in the way staff view technology, releasing clinical time to care for patients.
Engaging at the international, national, regional and local level to promote the benefits of adopting GS1 standards, the team also spearheaded the use of the GS1 GLN to identify bed space and track patients throughout their care journey.
Jaguar Land Rover’s supplier development engineer – global material planning and logistics, Denis Turnbull, received the business champion award for his advocacy of GS1 UK’s standards to the company’s supplier base and his close cooperation with the GS1 UK member support team on technical issues.
The award ceremony was preceded by a speech from Sue Bishop, director, creative, consumer, food, drink and sports economy at the Department for International Trade, who highlighted the work of the Exporting is GREAT initiative.
New beginnings and fond farewells
The occasion was used to mark the passing of the baton from the retiring chair, Jim Spittle, to incoming chair, Chris Tyas, former global head of supply chain at Nestlé SA.
Chris used his introduction to thank Jim for his stewardship at and extoled the need for GS1 UK’s services and cross-sector expertise in a rapidly shifting business environment.
Jim steps down from his role after 16 years at the helm, having taken the reins in 2002. Marcus Dunsmore, vice-chairman of the supervisory board at GS1 UK and the current vice president integrated supply chain, chocolate category at Mondelēz International, praised his tenure.
He highlighted GS1 UK’s move from a technical standards organisation focusing on FMCG, towards its current standing as a trusted partner in retail, healthcare and online. Under Jim’s leadership, the member base has increased by more than 50 per cent.
In his parting address, Jim thanked the board, the members and GS1 UK’s staff for making the organisation what it is today. He especially underlined the transformational work done in the healthcare sector by GS1 UK’s incumbent president, Lord Philip Hunt.