Chief executives view Why its vital to plan for the future and reinvest As you read this, we will be in the middle of recruiting for two key posts at the institute namely our directors of policy and commercial operations. Over the past 18 months, we have ramped up our work trying to influence policy-makers to fund and support our profession properly. We started with the National Trading Standards Conversation and, since then, have: commissioned research, with the Institute of Local Government Studies, to help demonstrate the impact of trading standards; supported high-court action to challenge cuts to trading standards; acted as a formal consultee to as many local authority plans as possible; and undertaken bespoke pieces of work with colleagues in Wales and London. Looking further ahead, we will be working with heads-of-service colleagues to create a blueprint for our profession for the new, post-election government. Having a senior director responsible for policy will maximise our chances of getting the results that wewant. Obviously, resources are needed for all of this work we need to ensure that we, at TSI, generate sufficient surpluses to reinvest in work that brings benefits to our members. Given the direction of travel of public finances, it is important that we find other revenue streams. This is why our commercial director will play a vital role indriving theinstitute forward. While we need to generate different revenue streams, it is important that we remain not-for-profit all our surpluses are reinvested and that we do not undermine the reputation of trading standards. That is why I was grateful to TSI council for clearly setting out the parameters within we which can work, commercially, and also for the establishment of an ethics and standards committee, to further guide us. I hope you have a great Christmas. TS TODAY Leon Livermore, Chief executive, discusses TSIs ethical approach to becoming a more commercial organisation @tsi_uk Tap to listen "