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LARGE BUSINESS FORUM

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

agree the following principles to
support and underpin participation in
the forum. Members will:
be free of politics and commercial
gain of individuals or individual
organisations.
at all times be mindful of the
Competition Law (The laws which
prevent anti-competitive behaviour)
and apply this at all meetings, debates
and discussions both formal and
informal.
maintain autonomy while being
transparent in ethics and activities;
and be inclusive with integrity.
at all times remain independent
from outside influences and exercise
a ‘common sense approach’ to all
issues, which is central to the forum’s
existence.
robustly promote industry standards
Trevor Smallpeice, Chair of IGEM’s Large Business Forum, explains and best practice.
why this organisation exists, what it is doing to support the gas allow the larger gas businesses
to interact, co-operate, share and
industry and why you should join today resolve compliance issues in a non-
competitive environment.
IGEM’S LARGE BUSINESS FORUM regulatory framework while applying There are regulatory bodies and trade
(LBF) has been in existence since 2009. a ‘common sense approach’. Although, organisations that are permanently
It was founded because there was a by definition, its primary perspective invited guests and add a unique depth
need for larger gas businesses to work is from that of a large business, the and contribution to the discussions and
together and bring a common sense output of the LBF should benefit the debates, often offering guidance.
approach to compliance. whole industry. Members of the forum also have
To move forward ensuring The LBF is the representative significant member representation or
continuation, longevity, growth and body for large businesses working in close links to the gas industry standards
improvement to the LBF's profile, the the downstream gas industry with writers such as IGEM/G/11 The Gas
forum needed to expand and embrace a significant number of Gas Safe- Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure
change. So, to enable this, IGEM stepped registered engineers. They provide (GIUSP), IGEM standards and British
in during 2015 with facilities large legislative and technical advice in standards, and regularly comment on
enough to accommodate the growth addition to supporting industry industry technical bulletins. There is
of the LBF and closer collaboration regulators, including the Health and also significant involvement from the
followed. There is synchronicity Safety Executive, Gas Safe Register, The forum with the Standards Setting Body
between the two, with IGEM being the Standards Setting Body, Ofgem and the (SSB) at Energy & Utility Skills who
professional engineering institution Department for Business, Energy and set both the training specification and
for gas, supporting individuals and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Nationally Accredited Certification
organisations connected with the The forum is for businesses operating Scheme for Individual Gas Fitting
gas industry. IGEM does this through primarily in the downstream utilisation Operatives (ACS) assessment criteria to
technical standards, events, and sector of the gas industry to discuss allow entry into the industry and Gas
training that contribute to professional engineering, safety and legislative Safe registration for gas engineers.
development and bring people issues that affect professionals working The forum works alongside IGEM
together through membership to share with gas in domestic and commercial and its colleagues operating the UK
knowledge, expertise and best practice. premises. The LBF works hard to transmission and distribution networks
The purpose of the LBF is to promote promote an environment that drives a to create clarity of understanding and
a safe gas environment for all with ‘right first time’ working culture within agree best practice on many issues,
improved training, guidance and the regulatory framework for the benefit such as low pressure supply, that have
clarity to drive up quality, knowledge of clients and gas users. relevance to those working both upstream
and performance working within the As members of the LBF, businesses and downstream of the gas industry.

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