British Quality Leader Elected President of European Organization for Quality
The European Organization for Quality (EOQ) has elected a British President. Frank Steer MBE, Director General of the Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA), was formally elected at the EOQ General Assembly in Ankara, Turkey last month.
Steer's two-year term begins in October 2002, coinciding with Q2002, the EOQ's 46th Annual Congress, which this year takes place in the UK for the first time in over two decades. Held at the Harrogate International Centre and hosted by the IQA, Q2002 will feature presentations from world experts in quality as well as high profile business and industry leaders. Lord Sainsbury will give the opening plenary and key speakers include Dr Roger Cliffe, the director of quality at Lloyds TSB, and Alan Jones from TNT Express.
The EOQ is a federation of quality management organisations from 34 European member states, which represent over 140,000 individuals and 23,000 businesses. It exists to promote quality and bring it firmly to the minds of companies and organisations throughout Europe. It also contributes to the development of new quality concepts and techniques and to the enhancement of existing skills and competencies.
Over the last two years, the EOQ has built a vision to improve its alliances and outreach throughout Europe. Steer, who was closely involved in developing this vision, is committed to its success.
He comments: "The main focus of my role as President will be to bring about convergence of the quality movement throughout Europe. The EOQ has produced a Green Paper, which aims to launch a wide debate on how the European Union could promote corporate social responsibility at both European and International levels. Intrinsic within its recommendations is the need for a partnership approach among member states and I will be striving to ensure such alliances are forged.
"As part of the our commitment to outreach, I will also be working to ensure that all our European colleagues who wish to develop and enhance quality systems are given the opportunity with maximum support from the EOQ."
Frank Steer joined the IQA as Director General in November 1999. He has an unrivalled international logistics operations background gained during his 24 year British Army career. He has held positions such as Director of Logistic Operations in the MoD central staff, Head of Resources at HQ NATO in Brussels and latterly as a Brigadier based in England responsible for the policy and processes of an annual spend of £250 million per year.
As the professional institute for quality and quality management in the UK, the IQA provides training and support for quality professionals and individuals responsible for quality management. It aims to promote quality in both manufacturing and service industries as well as throughout the public and private sectors.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Jane Boston/Charlotte Sandy/Laura Stephen, Corixa Communications
Tel: 0117 949 3394 Fax: 0117 949 3395
E-mail: charlotte.sandy@corixa.co.uk
Date of issue: 4 March 2002
Note for Editors:
Delegates who wish to attend Q2002 should contact Georgina LeHeup, conference
administrator, tel +44 (0)20 7245 6722, e-mail: gleheup@iqa.org