BPA President on tour Making progress BPA President Jade Neville has covered many miles since July. In the first of a new series about her presidential year, she discusses parking yin and yang, the pain of public speaking, and why every meeting matters y first four months as President have been something of whirlwind! I have been a speaker, a listener, and a BPA ambassador at events from Edinburgh to Brussels. I have been to some lovely parts of the world and met some amazing people. I want my Presidency to not just to be about ceremonial duties although I look forward to those but also about getting out there, seeing what is going on, breaking down barriers, and learning, because there is still so much I want to find out about. I am also very aware that I only have the privilege of holding this position for a year, so I want to make the most of it and have as big an impact as I can. I want to inspire people who may not ever have considered joining a BPA group to think, yes, I can do that. What many people dont realise is that I am still a reluctant public speaker: it is not something that comes naturally to me. I am always so pleased when I have done it, and I have great support from my family, the BPA team and the members, because no-one wants you to fail at it. When I look out and see faces I know, it really encourages me and I am getting to know many more. What has really been reaffirmed for me in these first few months is how much power there is in peer-to-peer networking, and in coming together as a community. Its important to break down barriers in our own sector and to be open to working with other sectors. There are huge discrepancies in how we work for example, between the public and private sectors but we need to share knowledge and find our commonality; I call it the ying and yang effect. M What many people dont realise is that I am still a reluctant public speaker: it is not something that comes naturally to me. I am always so pleased when I have done it, and I have great support from my family, the BPA team and the members Parking is so often an afterthought. For instance, when I spoke at an electric vehicle (EV) conference the other year, there was just me and one BPA staff member representing the sector, because parking is just not considered by other sectors as an active choice. We need to shout about how we are a key part of the opportunities and solutions in everything from EV charging to tackling violence against women and girls by making sure our car parks are as well lit and secure as they can be. Its great when you see people make that connection those light-bulb moments make it all so worthwhile. Id like to thank all the members who have welcomed me so far I look forward to meeting more of you soon. 36 PN Nov 2022 pp36-37 JadeonTour.indd 36 27/10/2022 14:00