CLA wins national award for member support during Covid-19
The CLA has won a prestigious national award for best membership support during Covid-19 at the Association Excellence Awards
The CLA was announced the winner in the ‘Best Membership Support during Covid-19 (5,000+ members) category, which had a shortlist of nine other trade bodies and associations.
When Covid-19 struck, the CLA’s plan was to reassure, advise and lobby. At least 3,500 of the most vulnerable members received personal phone calls from CLA staff providing them with bespoke support, with hundreds of members per month getting in touch for advice.
We successfully lobbied for major government changes, such as a 75% cut in VAT for tourism and hospitality businesses, while working with a cross-industry coalition to feed the nation, promoting farm work to the unemployed and furloughed. At least 100,000 people applied, helping to keep supermarket shelves stocked.
The Association Excellence Awards, which took place at the Oval in London, celebrate and encourage the vital work that associations, trade organisations, unions and industry bodies do for and on behalf of their members.
Commenting on winning the award, CLA Director General Sarah Hendry said: “I am over the moon at the CLA being announced as winner in this category. It is testament to the very real and concerted efforts of my colleagues to support our members in a very challenging time.
“From the outset, our plan was simple, focusing on advising and reassuring our members, as well as lobbying government for appropriate support.
Our members can be doubly-assured that the CLA is in their corner supporting their needs in the face of adversity.
“I thank the whole of Team CLA on this well-deserved Award as they continue to work relentlessly hard to support our members. As things are getting back to a semblance of normal, we will now focus on how we can support the rural economy’s recovery.”
Other trade body and association contenders on this year’s highly competitive short-list included the Federation of Small Businesses; Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals; Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development; National Residential Landlords Association; Nautilus International, The National Hair & Beauty Federation; Society for Education and Training; Public Relations and Communications Association: and the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals.