Over land, under sea Nigel Hicks reveals his adventuring streak
Light from within Technical challenges in Ian Taylor’s world The Magazine of the BIPP / 2019 / Issue One
Let’s get to work Martin Baynes, the new CEO of The British Institute of Professional Photography, talks about his vision for the future
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Untold stories Simon Hill, Photographer of the Year, and his ‘English In Particular’
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I NTRODUCI NG MA RTI N BAYNES, CEO, BI PP
move to a more compact and efficient staffing structure. Instead of multiple part-time employees the office will be home to two full-time members of staff: Martin and an Administration Manager, making communication and delegation infinitely simpler. This alone has reduced the admin wage bill by £25,000. The Institute’s total annual salary costs are now £92,000 less than this time last year. The beauty of Martin’s appointment is that it is truly a fresh start, an outside appointment not lumbered with the baggage of recent years, although he is not ignorant of the BIPP’s recent turbulent history: ‘Of course, I was watching with interest what was happening – as many people within our industry were. The British Institute of Professional Photography has been supporting professional photographers for over 100 years. With robust, open accounting polices and regular communication between myself, staff, directors, the MSAB and members we can learn from and avoid the mistakes of the past. Add in a healthy dose of hard work and there’s no reason why we can’t continue to support photographers for another 100 years.’ How does Martin feel about leaving the Graphistudio family to join the BIPP at such a dramatic time in its history? ‘The directors were very honest with me, answered all my questions and made sure I was fully up to speed before I made the commitment to take on the role. I couldn’t have considered the move if it wasn’t for the work they’ve done to stabilise the Institute. Now it is up to me to pick up that baton. I will miss being at the centre of the Graphi family terribly, although many of the photographers I had such pleasure working with at Graphi are also BIPP members and the ones who are not soon will be if I have anything to do about it!’ As I draw Martin’s thoughts away from the office and towards longer-term goals there is one subject that
crops up again and again – the regions: ‘I firmly believe the regions are the cornerstone of the Institute,’ Martin explains. The networks, friendships and learning that the regional structures foster bring untold value to the membership. Supporting the regional committees in bringing a quality programme to venues across the country is one of my top priorities.’ Martin is, however, quick to point out that he’s not putting all his eggs in one basket: ‘Regional events will be part of a suite of ways we can communicate with the membership: this magazine, blogs, webinars, podcasts, studio and trade events, conferences – there are many ways in which we can deliver content to photographers. We need to consider them all and weigh up the benefit to members. I have built up a formidable network of contacts during my time in the photography industry and will be utilising that to help bring better training, networking and business support to professional photographers through their membership with the BIPP.’ As we wrap up our conversation, Martin is keen to point out that this fresh start is a two-way street: ‘I am speaking with members every day, bouncing ideas off of them and soaking up their thoughts. My “office door” will always be open – it’s important members know they can get in touch with me at any time.’
Martin Baynes can be reached at the office on telephone 01772 367968 or via e-mail at martin@bipp.com To learn more about The Artistry House, head over to www.theartistry.house
6 the PHOTOGRAPHER / 2019 / Issue One
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