Page 23 - BOSS Today Issue 40

60 SECOND INTERVIEW BOSS Today #40

LAYING DOWN

THE LAW

Specialist OP market researcher Martin Wilde talks to Carys Davis, Public Affairs Adviser at
BPIF/BOSS and self-confessed “paper and stationery geek”.

MW: Please can you give me a history of your MW: What key issues are you currently involved
career to date? in promoting/addressing?
CD: I’ve been working in public affairs CD: Some of the key issues right now
for over ten years now, and I’ve are business rates, which seems
had some really interesting roles to be impacting members in the
– from alcohol health to refugees South East disproportionately, late
to finance! I’m now freelance, payments, post-Brexit conditions,
working for the BPIF and BOSS improving productivity and
for a few days per month. I also attracting young people into our
conduct a lot of training days, industry.
which are great fun – I always
learn something new! MW: How does what you do help BOSS members?
CD: By providing a channel into
MW: Why did you take on the role of Public Government, I can help ensure that
Affairs Adviser for BOSS? the decisions Government makes
CD: It was a new area for me. I’d are the right ones for our industry.
worked for trade bodies before,
but not in manufacturing. I’m also MW: And, in turn, what do you need from BOSS
a paper and stationery geek (my members?
father was a teacher and used to CD: Chat, and more of it! Members can
raid the school stationery cupboard email me or call me if they have
for me!), so I have to admit that issues they’d like to raise. They
that was very much part of the should look out for – and let me
appeal! know about – challenges to their
businesses which Government
MW: What does the job entail, exactly? could do something about. As a
CD: Keeping on top of what’s freelancer, free notebooks are also
taking place in Parliament welcome!
and Government which will
affect members and ensuring MW: Please tell me something about you
that we respond to it with that few others know
our members’ views. On a CD: I’m a qualified cricket umpire.
practical level, it’s writing When I went to the first class,
briefings, arranging MP visits I was the only woman there
to members and administering among around 15 men. The
the BPIF Government & Industry teacher thought I’d got lost
Committee, on which Philip Lawson looking for the yoga class in
sits for BOSS. the gym next door! Carys can be contacted at carys.davis@bpif.org.uk

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