This week saw the 34th AGM of the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies take place, where members voted in the executive board for 2009-10. With two extremely well respected and extremely valuable members stepping down in the shape of the excellent Maria Storey (Science Photo Library) and the equally excellent Vanessa Kramer (Corbis), this year was always going to be a year where the Trade Association would experience change.

But, despite the big loss, BAPLA is delighted to unveil the board as…..:

Re-elected members:

• Paul Brown (Mary Evans Picture Library)
• Catherine Draycott (Wellcome Images)
• Lynne Bryant (Arcaid)
• Paul Seheult (Eye Ubiquitous / Hutchison)
• Caroline Haywood (Art Archive / Kobal Collection)
• Elbie Lebrecht (Lebrecht Music & Arts)
• Stuart Cox (Imense)
• Victoria Bridgeman (The Bridgeman Art Library)
• Tim Harris (Nature Picture Library & Bluegreen Pictures)

Newly elected members:

• Alison Crombie (Getty Images)
• Mike Markiewicz (ArenaPAL)
• Mary Egan (Press Association Images)
  “We’re absolutely delighted. The new board offers a very rich selection of skill and experience and, we believe, provides a very balanced representation of our membership; ranging from sole traders to medium sized businesses to larger corporate companies.”

BAPLA’s 2008-09 Chairman Paul Brown said: “We’re absolutely delighted. The new board offers a very rich selection of skill and experience and, we believe, provides a very balanced representation of our membership; ranging from sole traders to medium sized businesses to larger corporate companies. This is an extremely exciting time for BAPLA as we attempt to lead the industry through some very challenging times.” 

Brown also added: “Voting was extremely close, and we'd like to take this opportunity to offer our thanks to the others who stood for election, especially Mike Selby from Rex, for his service on the board over the last two years.”

Executive Director Simon Cliffe added: “Our focus for 2010 is to develop an industry where our members can thrive on a level playing field. We have some exciting and radical plans which we will be unveiling to our membership over the next few months. We also have new initiatives enabling us to engage much more effectively with our members ensuring we are working on the very relevant issues whilst bringing the industry closer and un-locking every ounce of skill, resource and experience we have.”