UK Association of the Year
Electrical Distributors’ Association
Founded in 2014, the EDA celebrates 110 years in 2024. The Association represents UK electrical wholesalers, the essential link in the supply chain between electrotechnical product manufacturers and the installing contractors and electricians. Members range from national chains with over £1billion in turnover, to one-branch £1million operations: over 50% of members are in latter category.
EDA also has 120 affiliates: leading suppliers to members.
The supply chain is critical to the construction industry, the UK economy, and has acquired greater importance in race to NetZero and electrification.
The Association is growing strongly, with 2023 a record year: membership up 168% since 2016 to 260; affiliate membership up 131% to 120; turnover up 173% to £1.5 million; team grown from 3 to 10.
This growth is due to additional new services which add considerable value to members and raising EDA’s profile within and outside the sector.
Our annual strategic business plan includes ‘four pillars of work’ and ensures focus and clarity of purpose. Each pillar has its own budget, mission, objectives, smart targets all on target at time of writing:
- Business Community
- Training & Apprenticeships
- Digitalisation
- Industry Insight & Representation
Independent Healthcare Providers Network
IHPN is the membership organisation for independent healthcare providers. We play a leading role in the sector by bringing independent providers together, representing their interests, and supporting them to deliver great care to patients.
IHPN has delivered anothery year of outstanding achievements that have delivered real and tangible benefits to our members and the patients and communities they serve.
We have promoted patient safety and quality in independent healthcare; worked effectively to ensure that independent sector capacity can help to drive down NHS waiting lists; and promoted the role of private care in helping people get the treatment they need.
IHPN has also led the way on sustainability with record numbers signed up to our industry net zero commitment, and launched new networks to improve diversity in the industry.
Institute of Directors
The Institute of Directors enjoyed a stellar year in 2023. We returned to growth, stabilised our finances and increased our reach among the wider business community. This achievement during our 120th anniversary year is testament to our resilience, innovation and dedication to our strategic goals.
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a thriving membership community for directors in the UK and beyond. Members can connect with other business leaders, develop their skills and be heard. At a time when great directors have never been more important, the IoD offers its members world-class professional development, valuable connections and policy influence.
Throughout our 120 years of supporting and nurturing directors, we have become part of the fabric of UK society. Through our Regions, Nations and branch network, we touch the lives of individuals across the length and breadth of the UK, providing a community to enable members to learn, develop and grow.
Institute of Employability Professionals
The IEP has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the employability sector. The association’s strategic initiatives, expanded engagement, and commitment to professional development make it a deserving candidate for the 2024 UK Association of the Year award. By continuously enhancing its services and fostering a supportive community, the IEP is making a significant impact on the employability sector both in the UK and globally, playing a significant role in terms of economic and social value by supporting more practitioners to help more people face their barriers to enter sustainable employment.
This Awards submission highlights the IEP’s achievements, strategic initiatives, and positive impact on its members and the broader employability sector.
National Residential Landlords Association
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK’s largest membership organisation for private residential landlords, supporting and representing more than 108,000 members.
Created by landlords, for landlords, the association offers landlords, agents and investors everything they need to run a professional, successful and compliant lettings business.
The association has an average TrustPilot rating of 4.8 out of five from 3,225 reviews, proof – from the horse’s mouth – that it is delivering when it comes to supporting members.
Since the association was created through the merger of legacy organisations in May 2020 membership has increased by 35%. Last year the association answered well over 100,000 calls to its dedicated landlord support line with more than a million documents and guides downloaded from the website.
A one-stop-shop for all things PRS, over 10,500 people have taken courses with the association’s Training Academy, and it is now home to almost 5,000 accredited landlords – a 20% increase year on year – with a further 9,800 working towards the scheme.
With one eye on the horizon the association has also invested in property compliance firm Safe2 and has developed software to allow members to manage their property portfolio via their NRLA accounts.
Railway Industry Association
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) delivered exceptional performance in 2023, demonstrating outstanding leadership and value for its members. Amidst many challenges, RIA championed the rail supply sector effectively.
RIA achieved over 20% membership growth, enhanced member satisfaction, acquired Rail Business Daily, increased political influence, successfully lobbied for sector support, strengthened relationships with devolved governments, promoted rail electrification and digitalization, delivered over 100 successful events, and planned for its 150th anniversary, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.
RIA’s exceptional leadership, creativity, and operational excellence in 2023 make it deserving of the UK Association of the Year award.
The Payments Association
The Payments Association (TPA) is the UK’s largest trade body for the payments sector, representing over 7,000 individuals and 237 corporate members since 2008. TPA enhances commercial interests, tackles financial exclusion, and drives payment innovations.
In the past 18 months, TPA’s PAY360 and Financial Crime 360 events attracted over 3,000 non-member attendees, significantly boosting membership. The Payments Review Magazine, launched last year, delivers industry insights to over 2,000 subscribers.
TPA operates as an independent industry representative, collaborating with key bodies like the Bank of England and HM Treasury. Their Payments Manifesto has been referenced in the National Payments Vision announced in parliament.
With seven stakeholder working groups, TPA drives innovation and represents member views. Their exclusive research and comprehensive activities, including PAY360, Financial Crime 360 conferences, CEO roundtables, and training sessions, strengthen the ecosystem.
TPA’s transformative strategic shift balances a 50/50 focus on membership and events, resulting in explosive membership growth and high member satisfaction. They maintain an 82% revenue renewal rate and a best-in-class Net Promoter Score of +54.
TPA’s efforts have earned significant public recognition and policy influence, positioning them as strong contenders for the Best Trade Association of the Year
The Walking Football Association
The broad and extensive impact that the WFA has had over the unique sport of Walking Football continues to be ambitious, innovative and far reaching. Supporting the huge growth of the sport in all formats in a plethora of ways– men, mixed, women only, impairment and globally.
The sport is the fastest growing in the world and the WFA is made up of an entirely voluntary group of passionate aficionados who are making impressive progress in supporting all the participants, and making the game safer, more inclusive, more diverse, and more visible, delivering demonstrable benefits to its members, thereby achieving the aims of the WFA.
