BCA committee vote: first in 20 years

BCA holds new committee vote for first time in two decades

Two panels are going head to head in March next year to contest roles for the Bangladesh Caterers Association’s new committee

The election of the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA)’s new committee will be held for the first time in 20 years, with a direct vote by its members. The organisation of British Bangladeshi restaurateurs will hold its election on 5 March 2023, with two panels contesting the vote.

One group is led by Oli Khan MBE as a presidential candidate, with Mithu Chowdhury as Secretary General and Tipu Rahman as Treasurer. The other group sees SR Bipul put forward as President, with Helal Malik as Secretary and Saiful Alam as Treasurer.

The previous BCA election was held on 7 September 2003, with only 121 members. Mahmadur Rashid became President, and Ashraf Uddin was elected as Secretary General. After nearly two decades, BCA members can now participate in direct voting, which has garnered enthusiasm among members.

At present, the member numbers of the organisation stand at around five hundred. Supporters of each of the two panels have started election campaigns and are travelling nationwide to sign up more new members. The recruitment process will continue until 24 January 2023.

The current President of the BCA, M A Munim OBE, told Curry Life: "I am determined to launch a fully democratic process and deliver a free and fair election. A three-member Election Commission has already been constituted, and Chief Election Commissioner is Mahmud Hasan MBE; Aziz Chowdhury and Mohammad Belayet Hossain are the other two election commissioners."

MA Munim said that BCA members could vote for the candidate of their choice either by panel-based voting or directly. He sought the cooperation of the two panels, all candidates, members and especially the National Executive Council (NEC) for a fair election process.

There are 129 BCA posts up for grabs. Among them are six crucial positions, including President, Secretary and Treasurer, who play a unique role in the organisation's day-to-day work. Alongside these there are 15 senior vice president and 17 vice president roles, two deputy secretaries, two junior chief treasurers, one organising and two deputy posts. There is also a marketing and one single assistant post, one membership secretary and two deputies, a press and publication post, alongside the other positions.

A total of 73 NEC members will also be voted for at this election. Both candidate groups can put forward up to 129 candidates individually, with nomination fees ranging from £400 to a maximum of £1800. Sources close to the situation said that BCA and NEC's meeting decided that the election and AGM will be held on March 5,2023, from 10 am to 5 pm.

The deadline for general membership submission is 24 January; the NEC approval date is 6 February , the nomination submission date is 20 February, and the withdrawal date is 23 February. Sources also said the BCA's regular membership fee is £75 for one year and £100 for two years.

Oli Khan’s Manifesto: ‘A Vision to Excel and to Succeed’

Lobbying initiatives:

Addressing VAT, business relief, council tax and business rates, the cost of living/energy crisis

 Lobby and create pressure on HMRC to increase flat rate VAT threshold from £150k to £250k, to benefit the majority of caterers. Lobby for more business relief and tackle excessive tax burdens, as well as actively lobby the government for extra financial support.

Membership involvement and support: staffing, innovation and technology

 While the government has reviewed its occupation shortage list, the BCA still needs to tackle staff retention. This pledge will also support BCA members on their technology investments, to ensure high levels of efficiency and customer loyalty and it also aims to create a platform where female members’ efforts will also be recognised. The manifesto also sets out strengthening relationships with key suppliers of raw materials, goods and services, to increase cost savings and bulk buying arrangements.

Training initiatives

 Implement training schemes in the UK to create skilled staff, and seek government funding for this. Host regular workshops and seminars regionally with experts, and make concerted efforts to attract the younger generation. Address climate and sustainability issues to ensure businesses are conscious of the environmental impact and also of consumer expectations and behaviour.

BCA media coverage

 Start a quarterly newsletter to update members and highlight industry trends and organise food festivals promoting healthy food options.

BCA Building

 The pledge sets out buying BCA’s building, thereby no longer paying rent to a third party

Establish a BCA Think Tank

 The BCA needs to actively promote young chefs and restaurant/takeaway owners, and involve a new generation of caterers who have a fresh, innovative approach.

BCA Veterans

 Create an arm within BCA to honour caterers who have given a lifetime of service to the industry.

BCA Charity Arm

 Allocate £5 from every member’s fee to the association’s charity wing, the BCA Foundation.

Saidur Rahman Bipul’s Manifesto: ‘Let’s Evolve Together’

To build membership and its benefits

 Measures will include creating a national and regional buying group and setting up an online job vacancy forum for business owners, negotiating cost savings and establishing a trade directory.

Create a collective leadership platform

 Putting members first, through regular communication. This will include updates on current news and trends, an inter-generational management system, featuring an advisers/acting committee and a youth council and giving every Secretary a specific role and responsibility, with agreed funds. Evaluation programmes will be devised to assess outcomes.

Build resilience through training and development

 Members will benefit from workshops and seminars with professionals and industry experts and increased awareness of sustainability, alongside a training network.

Collaborate and partnering:

Build strong engagement with stakeholders

 Create round tables with other curry industry associations to work in collaboration on a common goal. Affiliate the BCA with relevant associations within the hospitality sector, such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Food Standards Agency. Create a chef platform to share knowledge and experience.

Attract the younger generation

 Create a Youth Council for the up and coming generation and nurture their skills. Create a platform for brainstorming ideas and approaches and organise focus groups at a regional level.

Embrace technology

 Focus on the power of social media to drive business, and the benefits of EPOS and investing in kitchen technology and equipment.

Communicate and influence policy making at government level

 Create a pressure group to lobby concerns and issues, and produce a market report to identify needs and gaps.

Take ownership of social and cultural responsibility

 Organise EID reunion and social activities, excursions and trade delegations. Focus on charity foundation and social well being and mental health.

Understanding finance and planning

 Providing support on taxation, managing cash flow and operating costs and understanding business compliance.

A HISTORY OF THE BCA

**A gilmpse into the past. Founder members of BCA in 1960**

Today, the BCA has reached a new height in its activities. It is recognised among the mainstream as a professional and active campaigning organisation for caterers. The organisation's engagement with members increased through various events, including an annual awards ceremony. All praise is due to those who have led the organisation over past eras.

BCA members will vote for a new committee for the first time in 20 years, and the enthusiasm among the members is visible. The elected committee started its journey in 2003 with only 121 members, but before that, BCA membership figures were much higher.

The organisation was established on July 3 1960, as the Pakistan Caterers Association. Following the independence of Bangladesh, it was renamed as the Bangladesh Caterers Association. In 1964, the membership of the Caterers Association was 143, and there were about 300 Bangladeshiowned restaurants across the country. The activities of the Caterers Association increased during the 1980s and 1990s when the number of Bangladeshi-owned restaurants grew rapidly.

Although there are various groups in the association, the majority acknowledge that the organisation's activities improved significantly when Mr M A Rahim became President. On October 9, 1999, he died suddenly of a heart attack. After his death, the organisation had different problems related to elections, while disputes over membership eligibility resulted in litigations. In the last twenty years, the BCA has seen further disputes and litigation, including the ownership of their office in Harrow Road in west London.

But the lack of continuity of a democratic process through voting has brought criticism to the BCA. As a result, two other catering organisations emerged during this period. These organisations also lobby the government on various issues facing the catering industry, devising various campaigns, but no joint ventures have been proposed.

The BCA's most significant blow as an organisation came when a panel boycotted the 2012 elections, alleging membership irregularities. As the polls were not held, the organisation fell into an image crisis. Many frustrated loyal members left the organisation, and BCA leadership failed to keep its members united. The leaders of the boycotting group, the YaforShahanur-Matin panel claimed in a press conference in June 2012, that about 2,500 membership applications were submitted. They also claimed that almost half of the organisation's supporters refrain from participating in elections.

Sources close to the breakaway group told Curry Life they waited about three years for the BCA to welcome them back before they established another organisation.

All the committees of BCA since 2003 are based on consensus, said President M A Munim OBE. Therefore, he thinks this coming election is crucial and hopes to deliver a free and fair election with the help of the NEC. Munim believes that the number of members will also increase this time. A maximum of four partners/directors (subject to relevant documents) from a restaurant or takeaway can become members, and they must also be of Bangladeshi origin.

Both presidential candidates, Oli Khan MBE and S.R. Bipul, believe that the more members there are, the stronger the BCA will be. Since the election was declared, restaurateurs have been enthusiastic about becoming members and are approaching business people to increase organisation membership. Many members have also alleged that leaders become active in reconciliation whenever BCA elections are held. If that happens, their right to vote is lost. Therefore, some members are still determining whether a compromise committee will be formed. 