MUA History: Key events 1996–2023

(Documents relating to these activities can be found in the 'Members Area')

2023

Sep 23
Jon Wilkins – Director of DSA Mail at UK Mail – DHL UK, discusses with members developments at UK Mail, in terms of functional capability, network developments and ESG.
Sep 23
Chris Combemale - CEO of the Data and Marketing Association briefs members on the Data Protection & Digital Information Bill, and what DMA judges it will mean for the industry.
Jul 23
Kevin O’Donnell - Head of Marketing - Graphic Communications and Production Systems, UK Ireland and the Nordics at Zerox, briefs members on the business’s role in the preparation and despatch of mail.
Jul 23
Lai Wah Co from the Bank of England’s Engagement Team briefs members on the macro-economic situation surrounding the UK, including inflation, interest rates and expectations on GDP.
May 23
Representatives of Ofcom brief members the regulator's forthcoming Review of the 2nd Class Safeguard Cap.
May 23
Phil Ricketts, Wholesale Commercial Director at Royal Mail Marketreach, briefs members on Royal Mail’s view of ISBA’s Origin project, and how the business sees JICMAIL interrelating with it in the future. He also provides information on the present work being undertaken by sub groups of Royal Mail’s Strategic Mailing Partnership.
Mar 23
MUA members received a presentation from Mark Cross - Engagement Director at JICMAIL, outlining recent developments in/and information emanating from JICMAIL, as well as discussion around the ISBA/Origin project on advertising usage, and how it relates to JICMAIL.
Mar 23
MUA hears from Charlotte Witsø - Senior Policy Researcher at Citizens Advice, outlining the areas of its 2023/24 Workplan relating to post. The meeting also discusses areas of common concern regarding Royal Mail's poor Quality of Service.
Feb 23
MUA Writes to Darren Jones MP - Chair of the BEIS Select Committee, regarding Royal Mail’s request for the USO to be reduced to 5 days a week, and the justification behind Royal Mail’s decision to prioritise the delivery of parcels over letters.
Jan 23
MUA is briefed by Michael Sterland - TDG Sales, on recent developments at the Delivery Group.
Jan 23
MUA Members hear from Tim Cable - Products Director at Royal Mail Wholesale, and Fiona Hamilton - from Royal Mail Group's Public Relations Department on the reasoning behind Royal Mail's request to Government for a move to a five day letter USO.

2022

Nov 22
MUA receives a briefing from Lai Wah Co - from the Bank Of England's External Engagement Team on the macro-economic situation surrounding the UK, including inflation, interest rates and expectations on GDP.
Sep 22
MUA meets with Charles Jarrold (CEO of the BPIF and member of the GPMA), to discuss the membership, aims and work of the Graphic & Print Media Alliance, with a view to forging closer relationships between the two organisations.
Sep 22
Representatives of Ofcom meet MUA members to discuss the key elements of the Regulator's decisions concerning its 2022 Review of Regulation.
Jul 22
MUA members meet with Andy Goddard – Commercial Director at Whistl, to discuss: Whistl’s initiatives on climate impact reduction; how it sees the international mail market; and his general views on the state of the industry.
May 22
MUA members receive a briefing from Peter Spall - Royal Mail Wholesale on Royal Mail's plans for its 100% Barcoding by 2024 Initiative.
May 22
Shaun Roberts from Royal Mail Wholesale updates MUA members on Royal Mail's pricing incentives available to postal users in 2022.
May 22
Brendan Perring - General Manager at the Independent Print Industries Association - Provides MUA members with his perspectives on the print industry, how the IPIA is supporting print businesses, and his take on the market conditions the industry is now facing.
Mar 22
A representative from the Bank of England’s Engagement Team, briefs members on the Bank's current views on the UK economy, including inflation, interest rates and expectations on GDP. Members also provide feedback on how their companies are dealing with challenging times.
Mar 22
MUA members receive a briefing from Ben Woolf - Specialist Sales Director at Premier Paper, on current paper supply problems, and how he envisages these circumstances will develop in the coming months.
Mar 22
MUA submits its formal response to Ofcom's Review of Regulation consultation
Jan 22
MUA receives a presentation from Ofcom representatives, led by Marina Gibbs - Competition Policy Director, on the various recommendations the Regulator is minded to propose for future postal regulation in the UK.
Jan 22
MUA members hear from Mark Cross and Tara Pickles - from JICMAIL's Engagement Team, on developments surrounding JICMAIL, and how customers are using its data in their mail campaign planning decisions.

2021

Nov 21
MUA members receive a presentation from Martin Rides on the services Software Bureau provides to the Industry, an insight into the company’s planned development and future ideas, and his thoughts on what the mail industry may face in the future.
Nov 21
David Bradford - Head of Marketing at Citipost provides MUA members with an overview of the business, its recent developments and plans for the future.
Sep 21
MUA Inland Committee members receive a presentation from Rowena Humby - Co-Founder and CEO of Starcount - concerning how Starcount analyses, models and maps social media use against Postcode data, to improve direct mail response rates.
Sep 21
MUA members discuss issues relating to Royal Mail's Access Roadmap with Roger Hardy - Senior Account Director, Royal Mail.
Aug 21
MUA's Inland Committee writes to Anna Malley - Director Consumer Networks - Royal Mail, to express concerns at Royal Mail's Letter and Large Letter Barcoding Strategy.
Jul 21
Jon Wilkins – Group Commercial Director at UK Mail, updates members on developments at UK Mail, and his view of the postal market, more generally.
May 21
MUA Submits a formal response to Ofcom's call for input to its Regulatory Review
May 21
Shaun Roberts – Head of Letters Incentives and Product Development at RM Wholesale, provides Inland Committee members with at update on the launch of RM's new Environmental Products, and its considerations around a Carbon-Offset Levy.
Apr 21
MUA Chairman Ian Paterson writes to BEIS to emphasise the importance of maintaining postal services during the Covid-19 Pandamic.
Mar 21
MUA's Inland Committee receives a briefing from Tim Cable Product Director at Royal Mail on planned developments for the business, including Access Contracts, Price Plans, Mailmark developments, new Environmental Products, and the new Geoplanner service.
Mar 21
Mark Plant - Managing Director of Onepost - the Delivery Group - talks members through recent developments in TDG, and future plans for the business, along with his thoughts on the 'state of the industry'.
Jan 21
MUA's Inland Committee meet with representatives of Ofcom to discuss the findings of the Regulator’s recently carried out Review of Postal User Needs research.
Jan 21
MUA members are briefed by Laura Sanjurgo and Nigel Polglass on recent developments at Whistl, and their insight on the UK Mailing Industry in the present circumstances.

2020

Dec 20
MUA formally responds to Ofcom's consultation on its proposed regulatory approach to Royal Mail's New D+5 Letters Access Service.
Nov 20
MUA's Inland Committee welcome Tim Cable – Wholesale Product Director at Royal Mail to its Microsoft Teams meeting. Tim Cable discusses access contract change proposals, access service developments (including issues relation to price increases), and Royal Mail’s present thinking regarding the USO.
Nov 20
Lai Wah Co from the Bank of England’s External Engagement Team provides MUA's Inland Committee with an assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the UK economy.
Sep 20
MUA Members receive a presentation via Teams interface from Steve Rooney of Royal Mail’s Address Management Unit, on recent developments in PAF, the findings of the independent study on business addresses accuracy, and work being carried out by AMU as a result of it.
Jul 20
MUA Members welcomes Jenny Ledgar - Director of RM Wholesale’s Business Unit to its Teams meeting, to discuss developments and the management structural changes taking place at Royal Mail.
May 20
MUA's Inland Committee meet with James King – Senior Associate Competition Policy, and Andrew Scoones Consumer Policy Manager at Ofcom - to receive a presentation on: present conditions in the letters market; Covid-19 and its impact on the postal sector; the future needs of larger postal users; and Ofcom's projects and priorities for 2020/21.
Mar 20
A member of the Bank of England's External Engagement Team has a round table discussion with MUA's Inland Committee, to brief members on the economic backdrop to present market conditions, in light of the COVD19 Pandemic.
Mar 20
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Debbie Moffat - Media Strategy Consultant, and Shaun Roberts – Head of Contracts at Royal Mail Wholesale, to discuss Royal Mail's strategy on revising its bulk mail sustainable products, and its Carbon Compensation Scheme.
Feb 20
MUA submits a formal response to Ofcom's consultation on its proposed work plan in 2020-2021.
Jan 20
MUA's Inland Committee hears from Judith Donovan Chair of the 'Keep Me Posted' campaign on developments in the KMP campaign, and her overview of the mail market more generally.
Jan 20
Members of MUA's Inland Committee meet with Soterios Soteri - Chief Economist of Royal Mail Group, for an update on recent and planned developments within this part of the business, along with an overview on his view on the state of the industry.

2019

Nov 19
MUA Members meet Jon Wilkins - Group Commercial Director at UK Mail, to get an update on developments at UK Mail, and a sharing of his thoughts on the state of the Industry, more generally.
Sep 19
Andy Goddard - Commercial Director and Nigel Polglass - Chief Operating Officer - Whistl, attend MUA's Inland Committee to update members on developments at Whistl, and share their thoughts on the state of the Industry.
Sep 19
MUA members meet with Sophie Grender - Business Development Manager, and Amanda Griffiths - Head of Customer Communications Planning RM, to discuss what Royal Mail is doing to build its understanding of the mail market, and how the Industry as a whole can respond to the changing needs.
Jul 19
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Tim Cable – Wholesale Product Director at Royal Mail, for an update on new developments taking place at Royal Mail, including plans for new incentives and services in the next year.
Jul 19
MUA Chairman Ian Paterson invites Ofcom to present the initial findings of its snapshot survey of major mailers, and to discuss the outcome of the Regulator's workshop held on 22 July 2019.
May 19
MUA Members meet with Terry Pullinger - Deputy General Secretary - Post at Communication Workers' Union, to hear his views on CWU’s relationship with Royal Mail, how he thinks this position may develop, and his general overview of the industry.
May 19
MUA's Inland Committee meets Mark Bigley – Non Executive Director at The Delivery Group, to discuss TDG's acquisition of Onepost, and his views on the state of the mailing industry more generally.
Mar 19
Tara Pickles - Customer Support Manager at Jicmail updates members on the product's development, how it is being presented to the market, and how customers are utilising it in their mail campaign planning decisions.
Mar 19
Jim Bulmer - Head of Market & Customer Insights at Royal Mail, presents research findings on trends in the use of mail, customers’ changing needs, and how mail usage is being supported.
Mar 19
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Dan Karadza – Head of Sector-Intermediaries for an update on developments in the Strategic Mailing Partnership's 'Maximising the Value of Mail through Supply Chain Collaboration' (Kaisen) Project.
Jan 19
Mail Users' Association submits its formal response to Ofcom's proposed Annual Plan in 2019-2020

2018

Nov 18
MUA's Inland Committee meet with Andy Goddard - Commercial Director at TNT Post UK (Whistl), to discuss developments in the industry and the outcome of Ofcom's ruling in the Competition Law case brought against Royal Mail.
Nov 18
Luisa Fulci - Regulated Products Director at Royal Mail Wholesale, presents to MUA's Inland Committee on developments in the incentives area being made by RM Network Access.
Nov 18
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Andy Goddard - Commercial Director at Whistl, to hear about recent developments at the business.
Sep 18
MUA Members meet with Kate Walters and Elisa Pruvost – Competition Policy Principals at Ofcom to discuss the Regulator’s ruling in the Competition Law case brought against Royal Mail by TNT Post UK (Whistl), and other Ofcom work in relation to the Postal Industry.
Jul 18
Danijel Karadza – Head of Sector-Intermediaries at Royal Mail, meets members to update them on the Strategic Mailing Partnership's 'Maximising the Value of Mail through Supply Chain Collaboration' Project.
Jul 18
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Mark Bigley – Non Executive Director at The Delivery Group, to receive an update on developments at Secured Mail/The Delivery Group, its plans for future services to mailers, and his views on the challenges and opportunities facing the mailing industry.
May 18
MUA's Inland Committee meet with Stephen Agar - Managing Director - Consumer and Network Access at Royal Mail, to discuss recent and proposed new service developments, and key issues facing Royal Mail.
May 18
MUA members meet with Julia Porter - Consultant at OPT 4 - to discuss the latest position around changes to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations), and their impact on the mailing industry
Mar 18
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Terry Pullinger - Deputy General Secretary – Post, at Communications Workers’ Union to hear about progress in negotiations with Royal Mail around pensions, new working practices and the recently agreed three year pay deal.
Mar 18
MUA members meet with Tim Brown - CEO at Jersey Post for an update on developments at Jersey Post, and his views on state of the UK Postal Industry.
Jan 18
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Philip Ricketts - Head of Business Development at Royal Mail MarketReach, to discuss recent developments at MarketReach and its plans for 2018.
Jan 18
MUA members meet with Steve Patrick - Managing Director of UK Mail Ltd, to discuss developments at UK Mail since the DeutschePost DHL's takeover of the UK Mail Group.

2017

Nov 17
Richard Orpin - Competition Policy Manager from the Ofcom Postal Team, discusses with Members the Regulator's latest Annual Monitoring Report, and what plans Ofcom has for 2018, and beyond.
Nov 17
MUA members meet Danijel Karadza - Head of Sector-Intermediaries at Royal Mail, to hear about activities surrounding the Strategic Mailing Partnership's 'Maximising the Value of Mail through Supply Chain Collaboration' Project.
Sep 17
Representatives from Royal Mail and Whistl jointly brief members on the development of a newly formed Joint Industry Committee on Mail (JIC Mail), set up to provide best in class media audience measurement and research for the mailing medium.
Sep 17
Luisa Fulci - Regulated Products Director – Royal Mail Wholesale - updates members of MUA's Inland Committee on incentives and other developments recently launched by RM Network Access.
Sep 17
MUA Meets Charles Neilson - Director of Postal Affairs at Whistl, to hear his views on the state of the UK Postal Industry, and what Whistl is up to at present.
Aug 17
MUA submits its formal response to Royal Mail's 'Future Treatment of Mail to the Channel Islands and Isle of Man' consultation.
Jul 17
The Government releases its House of Commons Briefing Paper on UK Postal Services.
May 17
Members receive a presentation from Rosemary Smith, concerning new Data Protection Regulations coming into effect in May 2018, and their implications for the mailing industry.
May 17
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Terry Pullinger - Deputy General Secretary Post at the Communication Workers' Union, to discuss developments in CWU's discussions with Royal Mail around pension arrangements going forward, and the potential for strike action emanating from it.
Mar 17
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom - to discuss Ofcom’s recent decisions on the future regulation of Royal Mail, and the reasoning behind them.
Mar 17
MUA meets with Luisa Fulci - Regulated Products Director at Royal Mail Wholesale, to discuss Royal Mail’s recently launched incentives for growth in advertising mail, and the potential for similar incentives in business/transactional mail.
Jan 17
MUA members receive an update from Steve Patrick - Managing Director at UK Mail, regarding DeutschePost DHL's takeover of the UK Mail Group.
Jan 17
Jonathan Tame from Print Power Europe meets with members to discuss Print Power's work on the effectiveness of mail for communications and its Two Sides Sustainability campaign.

2016

Nov 16
Terry Pullinger - Deputy General Secretary for Post at the Communications Workers' Union, meets with MUA members to discuss the state of the UK postal market, and CWU's on-going relations with Royal Mail Management.
Nov 16
Members welcome Stephen Agar - Managing Director for Consumer & Network Access at Royal Mail, to hear his views on the state of the Industry, and how he considers postal services will develop in the future.
Sep 16
MUA members meet Greg Noble - Project Manager Mailmark at Royal Mail, to hear about progress and developments in Royal Mail's Mailmark Programme.
Aug 16
Members of MUA discuss, agree and submit a formal response to BIS's Post Implementation Review of the Postal Services Act 2011.
Jul 16
An MUA delegation meets with BIS representatives to discuss its Post Implementation Review of the Postal Services Act 2011.
Jul 16
MUA submits a formal response to Ofcom's Review of the Regulation of Royal Mail consultation.
Jul 16
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Caroline Longman of Ofcom to discuss the Regulator's recent findings in its Review of the Regulation of Royal Mail.
Mar 16
MUA members meet with Luisa Fulci – Regulated Products Director at Royal Mail Wholesale, to discuss Mailmark pricing; The Royal Mail Incentive Scheme, end-to-end quality of service, digital stamps; and future developments in large letters.
Mar 16
Xanthe Couture and David Stubbs from Citizens Advice, provide members with an update on CA's 'Future Need for and Value of Post' research project.
Jan 16
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Steve Patrick - Managing Director of UK Mail, to discuss developments in the market and UK Mail's strategic direction going forward.
Jan 16
MUA Members meet with Philip Ricketts - Director of Business Development at Royal Mail MarketReach, for an update on initiatives MarketReach has delivered to the market in the last 12 months, as part of its commercial plan.
Jan 16
MUA Chairman Ian Paterson represents members' interests at the Westminster Business Forum's 'The Future of the UK Delivery and Postal Sector - Competition, Regulation and Innovation' seminar.

2015

Dec 15
MUA members meet with Mark Bigley - Chief Executive of Secured Mail to hear his perspective on the UK Postal Market, and discuss Secured Mail/Delivery Group's medium term development strategy.
Dec 15
MUA members discuss with Xanthe Couture and David Stubbs of Citizens Advice, its soon to be launched research project looking into the future needs and value of post.
Nov 15
MUA receives a response from Luisa Fulci - Regulated Products Director at Royal Mail Wholesale, concerning price changes to Royal Mail's Access Letters Contract.
Oct 15
MUA's Chairman Ian Paterson writes to Luisa Fulci - Royal Mail Wholesale, regarding price changes to the Access Letter Contract.
Sep 15
MUA carries out a survey amongst its membership to inform its formal response to Ofcom's Review of the Regulation of Royal Mail consultation
Aug 15
MUA submits a formal response to Royal Mail's Mailmark Migration consultation.
Jul 15
MUA members meet with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom, to discuss the Regulator's recently issued 'Invitation to Input' to its Review of the Regulation of Royal Mail consultation.
Jul 15
MUA members meet Jim Conning - Managing Director of Royal Mail Data Services, to discuss RMDS's recent activity in the area of mail production and addressing data, and the services it will be able to offer business mailers in the future.
Jun 15
Andy Goddard - Commercial Director at Whistl talks to members about its recent suspension of end-to-end final delivery services.
Jun 15
MUA's Inland Committee meet with Alastair MacHardy - Customer and Commercial Relationship Manager at Royal Mail to discuss recent changes to the PAF licence.
Jun 15
MUA Chairman Ian Paterson presents a keynote speech to the Mail and Express Delivery Show.
Jun 15
MUA members meet with Scott Childes - PAF Data Supply and C&NA Compliance Manager at Royal Mail to discuss recent developments in quality assessment of the Postcode Address File.
Apr 15
MUA Chairman Ian Paterson writes to Nick Landon Managing Director - Royal Mail Parcels to clarify inconsistencies in the way Royal Mail levies fuel surcharges on Contract Parcel products.
Mar 15
MUA's Inland Committee meets John Kitchen - Mailmark Commercial Strand Lead at Royal Mail, to discuss progress made so far with the development of Mailmark, and Royal Mail's plans for the future.
Mar 15
MUA members meet with Gurpreet Brar - Managing Director of Edelman and Consultant to the Keep Me Posted Campaign, to hear about a recent behavioural economics study carried out by London Economics, into the impact of communications platforms on consumer activity.
Feb 15
MUA submits a formal response to Ofcom's Access Pricing Review.
Jan 15
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom, to discuss its Access Pricing Review and Forward Work Plan for 2015/6.
Jan 15
MUA members meet Andy Goddard - Commercial Director at Whistl, to discuss its final delivery aspirations, and stance on future access pricing.
Jan 15
MUA's Board of Directors appoints Ian Paterson to be MUA's New Chairman, following the retirement of Alan Halfacre at the end of 2014.

 

2014

Dec 14
MUA Chairman Alan Halfacre presents oral evidence to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee's inquiry into Competition in the Postal Services Sector and the Universal Service Obligation.
Nov 14
MUA's Board of Directors appoints David Beirne (Neopost) and Paul Brough (Opus Trust Marketing) to become MUA Directors.
Oct 14
MUA submits written evidence to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee's inquiry into Competition in the Postal Services Sector and the Universal Service Obligation.
Sept 14
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Chris Rowsell to discuss issues relating to Royal Mail's request to Ofcom for a review of TNT Post's activities in the direct delivery market.
Aug 14
MUA writes to Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom to emphasise the need for a speedy resolution to issues surrounding Royal Mail's recent submission to the Regulator on direct delivery competition from TNT Post, and the uncertainty this brings to the market place.
July 14
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Roger Morris - Head of Royal Mail Parcels, to hear his views on the Packets and Parcels market, and discuss Royal Mail aspirations for the future.
July 14
MUA members meet with Alex Plant - Regulation Director at Royal Mail, to discuss Royal Mail's recent request for Ofcom to review the activities of TNT Post UK in the final delivery postal market.
May 14
MUA Members meet Dick Stead - Executive Chairman of Yodel to hear his views on the growing packets and parcels market.
May 14
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Jonathan Harman - Managing Director of MarketReach, to discuss its product propositions and research recently carried out by Royal Mail into physical mail as a communications medium of the future.
Mar 14
MUA members meet to Sean O'Hara - Principal, Consumer Affairs at Ofcom to discuss the Regulator's proposals for changes to the Postal Common Operational Procedures (PCOP), and Mail Integrity Code of Practice (MICOP).
Mar 14
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Andrew Goddard - Commercial Director at TNT Post to discuss recent developments in the marketplace from TNT Post's perspective, particularly its plans for further expansion into the end-to-end delivery market.
Feb 14
MUA meets with Luisa Fulci - Director - Regulated Products and Mike Haskins - Wholesale Product Manager at Royal Mail to discuss: Royal Mail as a privatised entity; its reasoning behind recent wholesale pricing changes; circumstances around changes to Contract volumes and SSC Forecasts; changes in expected competition from TNT, and Royal Mail's key focus areas for the future.
Feb 14
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom to discuss the regulator's 2014 forward work plan.

 

2013

Sep 13
MUA submits a formal response to Royal Mail's consultation on plans to change the pricing and framework of Postcode Address File licences.
Sep 13
MUA meets with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom - to discuss the issue of Royal Mail privatisation, and the potential for strike action emanating from it.
Aug 13
MUA members meet with John Kitchen - Commercial Strand Lead at Royal Mail - to discuss Royal Mail's Enterprise Intelligent Barcode programme.
Aug 13
Malcolm Booth - a representative of the 'Keep Me Posted' campaign presents the partnerships consumer research to MUA membership.
May 13
MUA members meet with Dave Ward - Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, to discuss the reasons for and potential of industrial action emanating from the privatisation of Royal Mail.
May 13
Tim Cable - Product Director at Royal Mail - gives a presentation to MUA members on progress made by Royal Mail in the area of reversions.
Mar 13
MUA members discuss the Regulator's Review of Mail Integrity and Postal Common Operational Procedures consultation with Sean O'Hara - Principle at Ofcom.
Mar 13
MUA's Inland Committee meet with Robert Hammond - Director of Postal Policy at Consumer Focus, to discuss the work programme of the newly formed Regulated Industries Unit.
Feb 13
MUA formally responds to Ofcom's Review of the Postcode Address File consultation.
Jan 13
MUA members discuss Ofcom's Forward Work Plan 2014/15 with Chris Rousell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom.
Jan 13
Members of MUA's Inland Committee meet with Mark Bigley - SEO of Secured Mail, to gauge another postal operator's view of Royal Mail's new Access Contracts.

 

2012

Dec 12
MUA responds to Ofcom's 'Review of Users' Needs and 'Approach to End-to-End Competition in the Postal Sector' consultations.
Nov 12
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Stephen Agar - Managing Director, Consumer and Network, Royal Mail - to discuss the issue of reversions.
Nov 12
MUA meets with Ofcom to discuss the results of its research into the needs of postal users.
Jul 12
MUA members meet with law firm DLA Piper to discuss its work with large volume mailers recovering input VAT on Royal Mail's services.
May 12
MUA members discuss the current position surrounding Royal Mail Wholesale's terms and conditions for access with Ian Paterson - Mail Competition Forum representative and Director of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at UK Mail.
May 12
MUA meets with Chris Rowsell - Competition Policy Director at Ofcom to discuss the Regulator's Forward Work Plan in the short to medium term, and its consultation regarding a Safeguard Cap on 2nd Class Large Letters and Packets up to 2kg.
Mar 12
MUA meets with Charles Nielson - Group Services Director at TNT Post, to discuss the operator's planned expansion of trials in the end-to-end delivery market.
Mar 12
MUA meets with Jenny Ledgar - Director Network Access at Royal Mail Wholesale to discuss Industry's concerns over the national carrier's approach to reversions, Royal Mail's 'Delivered By' proposals and its future pricing strategy going forward.
Mar 12
MUA responds to Royal Mail Wholesale's consultation concerning it's proposals to print 'Delivered by Royal Mail' on all business letter mail delivered by the national carrier.
Feb 12
MUA Chairman Alan Halfacre writes to Ofcom regarding the issue of Reversions, and concerns Industry has with Royal Mail's approach to them.
Feb 12
MUA submits its formal response to Ofcom's Review of Regulatory Conditions consultation.
Jan 12
MUA members contribute feedback to Ofcom's planned project into the needs of postal users, prior to the start of the Regulator's research and analysis.
Jan 12
MUA Inland Committee mets Chris Rousell - Competition Policy Director to discuss the proposals being put forward by Ofcom in its Review of Regulatory Conditions consultation.
Jan 12
MUA Submits a formal response to Ofcom's Securing the Universal Service consultation.

 

2011

Dec 11
MUA meets with Consumer Focus to discuss Ofcom's Securing the Universal Service consultation.
Sep 11
Members meet with Sean Browne from the Postal Services Policy Unit, Department of Business Innovation & Skills (BIS), to discuss the implementation of the Postal Services Act.
Sep 11
MUA discusses the issue of 'Reversions' with Ian Paterson - Strategy and Regulatory Affairs Director at UK Mail.
Sep 11
MUA meets with Tim Brown (outgoing CEO of Postcomm) to discuss issues relating to the handover of regulatory responsibility from Postcomm to Ofcom, and his views on the new Regulator's plans for future stakeholder engagement.
Sep 11
MUA responds to Ofcom's first consultation on its plans for the transition of regulatory responsibility from Postcomm to Ofcom.
Aug 11
MUA formally responds to Postcomm's consultation on the proposed dispensation from the requirement for Royal Mail to offer access terms under Condition 9, Part 1, Paragraph 2(b) of its Licence.
Aug 11
MUA formally responds to Postcomm's consultation on Royal Mail's application for a Direction for exemptions from certain aspects of Licence Condition 7 for Large Packets.
Jul 11
MUA's Chairman writes to Sean O'Hara - Director Customer, Strategy & Information at Postcomm requesting a Condition 21 investigation into Royal Mail's decision to overprint mail pieces with a 'Delivered By Royal Mail' indicia.
Jul 11
MUA's Chairman writes of Graham Davis - Director of Sales and Channels, to ask for an explanations regarding Royal Mail's decision to overprint all bulk mail pieces with the words 'Delivered By Royal Mail'.
Jul 11
MUA meets with Daniel Gordon of Ofcom to discuss the handover of regulatory responsibility from Postcomm to Ofcom.
Jul 11
MUA meets with Mark Thomson - Media Director Royal Mail to discuss the national carrier's take on future regulation in light of recent developments in the market.
Jun 11
MUA submits a formal response to Postcomm's initial proposals for a review of access arrangements in 2012.
Jun 11
MUA formally responds to Postcomm's consultation on its initial proposals for future regulatory safeguards.
Jun 11
MUA formally responds to Postcomm's proposals to remove bulk mail products from the universal service, whilst also clarifying the status of other universal service products.
Mar 11
MUA's Inland Committee meets with newly appointed Moya Greene - CEO of Royal Mail to hear her view of the UK Postal Market, and the future strategic direction of Royal Mail within it.
Mar 11
MUA's Inland Committee meet with Tim Brown CEO of Postcomm to discuss the passage of the Postal Services Bill through parliament; Postcomm's recently published Forward Work Plan for 2011-12; the next phase in the development of a sustainable regulatory framework for the postal service; Postcomms second consultation on its analysis of markets research; and its recently published consultation on the future of the access regime.
Jan 11
MUA formally responds to Postcomms decision document on its proposals for a new regulatory framework.

 

2010

Nov 10
MUA members receive a presentation from Sue Bide - Principal Customer Interests at Postcomm - on the joint research recently published by Postcomm/Consumer Focus into the needs of customers from the Universal Service.
Nov 10
MUA meets with Tim Brown - CEO of Postcomm to discuss the regulator's recently published proposals for a new regulatory framework; its view of Royal Mails recent application for additional revenue; and a general overview of the progression of the Postal Services Bill through its Committee Stage.
Nov 10
MUA's Chairman gives oral evidence to the House of Commons Postal Services Bill Committee.
Sep 10
MUA meets Rebecca Churchill - Director, Strategy & Market Development at Postcomm to discuss the next steps in the development of a new regulatory framework.
Sep 10
MUA's Inland Committee meets Glen Williamson - National Account Director at TNT Post UK to discuss its recently launched products TranSend and AdMail, and the business's plans for the future.
Aug 10
MUA submits its formal response to Postcomm's regulatory framework consultation entitled 'Laying the Foundations for a Sustainable Postal Service'.
Jul 10
MUA meets Sue Bide - Postcomm (Seconded part time to BIS) to discuss progress made on the updating of the Hooper Review.
Jul 10
MUA submits a formal response to the Hooper Review (Phase 2).
Mar 10
MUA's Inland Committee meets Rebecca Churchill - Director Strategy & Market Development at Postcomm to discuss the Regulators plans for the development of a fit for purpose regulatory framework going forward.
Jan 10
MUA members meet with Mark Thomson - Media Director at Royal Mail to discuss its future strategic direction and plans for transformation across the business over the next five years.
Jan 10
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Tim Brown CEO of Postcomm to establish what plans the Regulator has for the immediate future of the postal market, following the recent period of instability.

 

2009

Nov 09
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Mark Waples - Royal Mail's Head of Regulation and Compliance, and Rebecca Twist - Head of Response Services, to discuss proposed changes to Response Services specifications.
Nov 09
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Jonathan Djanogly MP - Shadow Minister for Business to discuss the Conservative Party's view on the postal market, the recent industrial action and its vision for the future of Royal Mail going forward.
Sep 09
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Dave Ward – Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union to discuss the general industrial relations situation facing the UK Postal Industry, and CWU's position towards future negotiations given the on-going regional strike action.
Sep 09
MUA's Inland Committee meets with Vicky Taylor – Head of Commercial Revenue Risk at Royal Mail to discuss its mails verifications procedures, and ways in which they can be made more customer friendly.
Jul 09
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Matt Bright – Deregulation Manager at Royal Mail to establish what changes Royal Mail is proposing to make to the Bulk Mail Compensation Scheme, in light of Postcomm’s decision to no longer regulate the activity.
Jul 09
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Alain Surkol – Sales Manager for the UK and US at Belgium Post International to find out more about the BPI products and services available to UK business mailers.
May 09
MUA’s Inland Committee meets Richard Travers – Finance and IT Director at Royal Mail Wholesale to gauge RMW’s view of the marketplace, and its plans for zonal access pricing following a recent announcement about a planned delay in its introduction.
May 09
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Jon Booth – Director, Postal Services Reform, and Sue Bide – Deputy Director, Head of Postal Policy and Sector Relations from BERR to stay abreast of developments around the progress of the Postal Services Bill through Parliament.
May 09
An MUA delegation meets with Campbell Cowie – Director of Policy Development Strategy and Market Developments at Ofcom to discuss future regulation of the postal market.
Apr 09
An MUA delegation meets with Postcomm representatives to discuss Royal Mail Wholsale’s revised Zonal Access application.
Mar 09
MUA’s Inland Committee invites Debbie Gillatt – Director, Communications Networks at BERR to its meeting, in order to stay abreast of developments around the newly introduced Postal Services Bill.
Jan 09
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Tim Brown – Chief Executive of Postcomm to hear about developments following the publishing of the Hooper Report, and what industry can expect regarding the framing of legislation going forward.

2008

Dec 08
MUA is instrumental is the setting up of ‘Postaf’ the succeeding trade association body of the now defunct Postwatch Trade Association Forum.
Nov 08
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Colin Bradshaw – Head of Data Strategy at Royal Mail to discuss Intelligent Technology and the future use of tracking devices in services such a Royal Mail’s ‘Red Tag’ product.
Oct 08
MUA’s Chairman meets with Mark Thomson - Royal Mail’s new Media Director to discuss business customer concerns regarding customer non-compliance to RM’s automation specifications.
Sep 08
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Ninian Wilson – Director of Operations at Royal Mail to establish what plans Royal Mail have in the pipeline for development to the network, and how these may impact on members’ operations.
Jul 08
MUA’s Inland Committee meets Jennie Longden - Head of Royal Mail’s Address Management Unit to hear about the future direction of the Postcode Address File, given business mailers reliance on PAF as a key distribution tool.
May 08
MUA submits a second written response to Phase Two of BERR’s Independent Review of the UK Postal Services Market.
May 08
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets Andrew Goddard Sales Director of TNT Post, to discuss the issue of ‘Access Headroom’, VAT distortion and TNT’s continuing end-to-end delivery trial pilot in Liverpool.
Apr 08
MUA’s Chairman gives oral evidence to Richard Hooper and the Review Panel of BERR’s Independent Review of the UK Postal Services Market.
Mar 08
MUA submits a response to response to Phase One of the Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Department’s Independent Review of the UK Postal Services Market.
Mar 08
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Steve Patrick – Managing Director of UK Mail to hear the perspective of a downstream access supplier to developments in the market, and what role he envisages UK Mail playing in it.
Jan 08
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Luisa Fulci – Head of Commercial Pricing at Royal Mail to gain a better understanding of the driving forces behind some of the pricing initiatives presently underway, and Royal Mail’s longer term plans for the future.
Jan 08
MUA carries out research amongst membership into the effect of the industrial action at Royal Mail in the last quarter of 2007. The Association publishes a report entitled ‘The Impact of Strike Action at Royal Mail in 2007’, which is well received and referenced by key stakeholders in the industry.

2007

Nov 07
MUA members contribute to Postcomm’s Business Customer Survey 2007, and agree to act as a ‘Super Users’ control group for the 2008 survey.
Nov 07
An MUA delegation meets with Postcomm representatives to discuss Postcomm’s Interim Review of the Price Control, and business mailers concerns over the need for pricing stability in the marketplace.
Oct 07
An MUA delegation meets with Lord Whitty Chairman of the National Consumer Council – the succeeding statutory body to Postwatch, to discuss future business mailer representation.
Jun 07
MUA’s Chairman is invited to take a seat on the PAF Advisory Board (Postcode Address File), principally in place to oversee the management direction of Royal Mail’s independently administered Address Management Unit (AMU).
May 07
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Richard Moriarty – Deputy CEO of Postcomm to discuss Royal Mail’s request to suspend bulk mail compensation arrangements in light of impending industrial action.
May 07
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Mark Thomson – Sales and Customer Services Director at Royal Mail to hear about new product developments, progress in the implementation of containerisation, and background information regarding the on-going industrial relations problems at Royal Mail.
May 07
MUA’s Inland Committee meets John Ivers - Director Licensing Framework and Market Intelligence at Postcomm to discuss the Regulator’s Strategy Review and Royal Mail’s revised zonal pricing proposals.
Apr 07
MUA’s Chairman gives oral evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Regulators, regarding the appropriateness of Postcomm’s performance and structure as an industry regulator.
Mar 07
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum invites David Higham - Divisional Managing Director of TNT Post UK to give an update on TNT’s market development progress to date, and its plans for the future.
Feb 07
MUA is invited to provide written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Regulators regarding the performance and structure of industry/economic regulators such as Postcomm.
Jan 07
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Stephen Agar – Managing Director of Royal Mail Wholesale to get an update on progress to date, and Royal Mail Wholesale’s plans for the future.

2006

Nov 06
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Mark Roy CEO of the Read Group to find out more about the ‘itsmypost.com’ proposition, built upon the suppression element of the Mailing Preference Service.
Aug 06
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Mark Thomson – Director Sales and Customer Services and Alex Batchelor – Director Marketing from Royal Mail to gain insight into Royal Mail’s zonal pricing proposals, and its impact on the product road map.
Jun 06
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Billy Hayes – General Secretary and Dave Ward – Deputy General Secretary of the CWU to establish the union’s stance on a dispute brewing over Royal Mail’s imposition of a 2.9% pay deal.
Jun 06
MUA’s Inland Committee meets Millie Banerjee CBE – incoming National Chair of Postwatch to hear her assessment of Postwatch’s position in the marketplace, and how she considers business mailers can interact more effectively with key stakeholders.
May 06
MUA organises a series of visits to member organisations by Postcomm’s Strategic Team as part of the Regulator’s ‘Making the Market Work’ initiative.
Jan 06
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Paul Smith – Deputy Director at Postcomm to discuss the Regulator’s final proposals for Royal Mail’s price control from April 2006.

 

2005

Oct 05
MUA meets with Sir George Bain - Special Advisor to Alan Johnson MP Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to discuss full market opening, the universal service obligation, Royal Mail’s price control and pension deficit, and how these might impact on the future stability of Royal Mail.
Aug 05
MUA submits a discussion paper to Postcomm for the development of an electronically based quality of service monitoring system.
Aug 05
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Peter Carr – CEO of Postwatch to discuss Royal Mail’s forthcoming price control, the independent monitoring of Royal Mail’s quality of service, Royal Mail’s current investment policy and its increasingly worrying pension deficit.
Jun 05
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Sarah Chambers – incoming CEO of Postcomm to discuss the Regulator’s market opening strategy.
May 05
MUA is sited as an ‘interested party’ in Postwatch’s Judicial Review of Postcomm’s conduct in officiating the payment of compensation, and its arguable failure in its duty to take enforcement action against Royal Mail to recompense customers with approximately £40million compensation in the year 2003/04.
May 05
An MUA delegation meets with Gregor McGregor – CEO of Postwatch to discuss the circumstances surrounding Royal Mail refusal to pay compensation to bulk volume mailers in the year 2003/04.
May 05
An MUA delegation meets with Richard Moriarty – Deputy CEO at Postcomm to discuss the Regulator’s ‘minded to agree’ proposals for Royal Mail’s sized based pricing proposals.
Apr 05
MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Matthew Robertson – Director of TNT Mail to discuss TNT’s market aspirations.
Feb 05
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Richard Koster – Director of Products and Alex Walsh – Head for Mail Agents and Trade Associations at Royal Mail, to discuss the introduction of its Product Roadmap.

2004

Dec 04
MUA meets with Adam Crozier – CEO of Royal Mail to discuss the implementation of Royal Mail’s Renewal Plan.
Sep 04
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Paul Sutton - Project Manager, Royal Mail Network Containers to discuss the operational aspects of its tray trialling project.
Jun 04
MUA meets with Nigel Stapleton – incoming Chairman of Postcomm to discuss: size based pricing; quality of service levels; RM industrial relations; Mailsort re-engineering; Postcomm’s competitive market review; and his immediate plans for the future.
Jan 04
MUA’s Inland Committee meets with Elmer Toime - Executive Deputy Chairman of Royal Mail to discuss various operational aspects including: the simplification of Royal Mail organisational structure; the drive to further empower its customer account management structure; and specialisation of Royal Mail’s marketing function.

2002–2003

  • Throughout the year MUA sponsors the European Mail Users Forum, the SMI Competitive Strategies for a De-regulated Postal Industry Conference and Triangle’s UK Mail Show.
  • An MUA delegation meets with Martin Stanley - CEO of Postcomm to discuss Royal Mail’s Size Based Pricing proposals.
  • MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Ian Paterson - Head of Regulatory Affairs at UK Mail to discuss what plans they have in the pipeline for future mail services.
  • An MUA delegation meets with Postcomm representatives to discuss issues surrounding the Regulator’s determination of the extent of Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation.
  • MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets Andy Goddard - Head of Sales at Express Dairies to discuss Express dairies planned entry into the final delivery market.
  • MUA takes a lead role in representing the industry in Postwatch’s OFT Super Complaint, which serves to focus attention on Royal Mail’s operational inconsistencies.
  • An MUA delegation meets with Alan Leighton to discuss the on-going customer/supplier relationship, and how he envisages Royal Mail bringing products and services to the market in an increasingly competitive environment.
  • MUA’s Postal Operator Forum meets with Charles Neilson – TPG UK Director of Operations to discuss TPG’s plans for future business mail services.
  • An MUA delegation meets with Martin Stanley CEO of Postcomm to discuss business mailers’ concerns with Royal Mail’s future pricing controls.
  • Martin Stanley - CEO of Postcomm attends MUA’s Inland Committee meeting to discuss future market developments and their associated regulatory implications, particularly regarding the setting of Royal Mail’s price control formula. Peter Carr - Chairman of Postwatch also attends the meeting to share insight on various subjects including: future pricing, compensation, re-engineering of Mailsort products and Size Based Pricing.
  • Allan Leighton Chairman of Consignia attends MUA’s Inland Committee meeting to discuss his vision for the future, and the strategic approach he intends to take to address the problems it faces.
  • An MUA delegation meets with CWU leaders Billy Hayes - General Secretary and John Keggie Deputy General Secretary (Postal), to discuss circumstances surrounding the union’s wage negotiations with Consignia (Royal Mail), and their views on Postcomm’s proposals for the introduction of competition into the marketplace.
  • MUA’s Inland Committee forms the Postal Operator Forum in order to meet existing postal operators and new market entrants to discuss their plans for the future.

2000–2001

  • An MUA delegation meets with Geoffrey Norris - Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing St, to discuss business mailer concerns for the future of postal services in the UK. A visit to a large mailing operation is set up, and it is agreed further dialogue should take place.
  • MUA’s Chairman makes a presentation to Postcomm’s Promoting Effective Competition Workshop, summarising what business mailers want from the liberalisation process, and how they believe it can be achieved.
  • MUA submits its response to Postcomm’s competition consultation exercise.
  • Martin Stanley - Chief Executive of Postcomm attends MUA’s Inland Committee to discuss liberalisation measures, prior to the release of Postcomm’s second consultation document on the promotion of effective competition in UK postal services.
  • MUA members host visits from Postcomm Chairman Graham Corbett, and five Collegiate Directors to view mailing operations and discuss issues of concern to business mailers.
  • MUA is requested to provide written evidence in Postcomm’s consultation on ‘Licensing Postal Services’ and ‘Promoting Effective Competition Between Postal Operators’.
  • MUA is asked to submit oral evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union regarding further liberalisation of Community postal services. (full transcript in 2nd Report HL Paper 6).
  • The House of Lords European Union Committee on Energy, Industry and Transport request written evidence from MUA in its inquiry into the liberalisation of the postal services market.
  • An MUA delegation meets John Keggie - Deputy General Secretary (Postal) of the Communication Workers Union to discuss industrial relations issues and circumstances surrounding the negotiation of new work and pay measures.
  • MUA produces a position paper entitled ‘Compensation for Business Mailers’. Postwatch adopts this paper as being the generic stance of the overall mailing industry. Postwatch presents it to Royal Mail and the Department of Trade and Industry as a discussion document.
  • Martin Stanley - newly appointed Chief Executive of the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) attends MUA’s Inland Committee meeting to discuss how he intends to set up and develop the work of the new Postal Regulatory Body.
  • MUA plays a key role in the development of Postwatch’s Trade Association Forum.
  • An MUA delegation meets with Peter Carr - recently appointed Chairman of Postwatch - the revamped Consumer Council for Postal Services (originally the Post Office Users’ National Council), to discuss how business mailers and the new statutory body responsible for consumer representation can forge a closer working relationship.

1998–1999

  • MUA Meets Derek Hodgeson - General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union to discuss CWU’s stance on the future of the Post Office.
  • MUA meets with Alan Johnson MP - Minister for Competitiveness to discuss progress on the White Paper and the timetable for postal reform.
  • MUA submits its response to the White Paper.
  • Ian McCartney MP Minister of State requests a meeting with MUA to discuss the content of the White Paper on the future of the Post Office.
  • An MUA delegation meets Tim Boswell MP- Conservative Shadow Front Bench Spokesman to discuss business mailers’ postal needs.
  • MUA sets up an independent postal monitor to gauge alarmingly low quality of service levels.
  • MUA is asked to submit further evidence to the DTI on industry’s stance toward Margaret Beckett’s statements on greater commercial freedom for the Post Office.
  • MUA begins a series of four pricing meetings with Royal Mail Streamline and the Direct Marketing Association, to develop and agree a future business pricing strategy.
  • MUA meets with newly elected Alan Johnson MP - Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Dawn Primerola of the Treasury, to discuss future Labour postal strategy.
  • Ian McCartney MP Minister of State accepts an invitation to speak at MUA’s Annual Luncheon in March 1998.

1996–1997

  • MUA’s Inland Committee meets John Tew - Director and General Manager of Royal Mail Streamline to discuss the finer points of Royal Mail’s future business pricing strategy. As a result of this meeting, a series of ‘nuts and bolts’ sessions are organised for the first two quarters of 1998.
  • An MUA delegation meets Michael Fallon MP of the Opposition to discuss the future of the Post Office prior to a Governmental statement on its intended direction.
  • Jim Cotton Betteridge - Sales and Marketing Director of Royal Mail attends MUA’s Inland Committee meeting to discuss Royal Mail’s plans for future business pricing and its overall strategic direction.
  • MUA is asked to submit further evidence to Ian McCartney MP pertaining to increased competition, the role and structure of a future Postal Regulator, and the future of hybrid and electronic mail.
  • MUA meets Ian McCartney MP - Minister of State for the postal portfolio to discuss UK postal services, following a Labour announcement that it is to review the future of the Post Office.
  • An MUA delegation meets with John Tew - Director and General Manager of Royal Mail Streamline to discuss future business pricing, and the feasibility of divorcing business pricing from public tariff.
  • MUA enters into informal talks with the Alan Johnson - Joint General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union in order to review how CWU viewed the future of the Post Office in the run up to the general election, and establish how talks are going with Royal Mail concerning the issue of ‘team working’.