Noticeboard Chartered first year a success CTSI has marked the first anniversary of receiving its Royal Charter. The historic moment was five years in the making and, since achieving chartered status, 128 CTSI members have become Chartered Trading Standards Practitioners (CTSP). Professionals with CTSP status are recognised as having reached the highest standards in their chosen field, and are seen as exemplars and ambassadors for the profession. CTSI chief executive, Leon Livermore, said: It was a real honour for our organisation to gain the Royal Charter, bringing the institute in line with some of the UKs most respected professional bodies. One year on and more than 150 members have joined the institute, and additionally we have almost 300 practitioners on board. Chartered status is a highly commendable achievement and a demonstration of professional standards that everyone can be proud of. Formerly the Trading Standards Institute, CTSI came into being on 1 April 2015, with the official handing over of the Royal Charter vellum, signed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Phill Hatton, director of Phill Hatton Forensic Computing, was one of the first trading standards professionals in the private sector to gain chartered status. He said: Chartered status has offered me an opportunity to demonstrate my commitment to trading standards and to show that my professional knowledge is still current. Chartered status is one of my key selling points; I dont think you will get your computers examined by a CTSP if you send them anywhere else. Graham Venn, head of service at North Yorkshire County Council, said CPPD alert the institutes accolade was well deserved and the process for members Want to boost your personal and professional development? Then dont forget to take advantage of the latest CPPD module in the February 2016 issue of TS Review. Answers should be submitted via CTSIs website by 22 April 2016. was relatively straightforward. He said: I filled out my application with CPPD hours and a personal development plan, and now proudly display my CTSPcertificate on my wall. I want and encourage all my officers to follow suit. As we move into a more commercial environment, businesses will want confidence that they are getting the best advice for their buck. By guaranteeing that, in North Yorkshire, such advice will only be delivered by CTSPs, we will give that confidence. In addition, as chair of the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) and vice-chair of National Trading Standards (NTS), I wanted to make a statement that we are part of a profession we have every right to be proud of. All articles featured inTS Today and TS Review are available in pdf format from CTSI press ofce, by emailing pressofce@tsi.org.uk Milsom is top ambassador CTSIs lead officer for the motor trade, Partnership, on how regulatory services Tim Milsom, has won a Better Business actively contribute to the business for All (BBfA) Award, in the Individual growth agenda. Ambassador category, for his work in the south-west of England. The award is national recognition for Thanks are extended to the management and individuals across our 19 local authorities, and others what has been achieved by the Devon & including Devon and Somerset Somerset BBfA partnership. Fire andRescue Service for having Although an individual award, the BBfA vision and for actively it reflects the work and success of contributing, along with our economic the partnership and, as such, is very development teams, which have helped muchshared with Devon and Somerset make our BBfA alliance Growth Hub BBfA colleagues. bids a reality. Speaking of receiving his award, We intend to use the award as a spur Milsom said: We have achieved much to strengthen our partnership further with our Heart of the South West BBfA and take forward our growth hub and partners, and the Local Enterprise devolution agendas. Tim Milsom, CTSI lead officer for the motor trade, receives his BBfA award, which he said was down to the hard work of all in the Devon & Somerset partnership