UK (Chelmsford) – Following the close and validation of the recent SCAE member vote on unification, it was announced that SCAE members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a unification with SCAA.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on Monday 23rd May 2016 at the Hilton Hotel, Paddington, London, SCAE President, Paul Stack, announced that a total of 51% of SCAE members cast their vote on the future of SCAE.
This incredible support for unification led Paul Stack and the SCAE Board of Directors to act on behalf of all SCAE members and to make the necessary legal changes to ensure the unification can go ahead once SCAA members have had their say.
Paul commented “We’re thrilled at the final number which demonstrates a clear intent of our members. The SCAE vote has given us the legal and moral mandate to effect this change and make unification happen. We would urge our friends and colleagues of the SCAA membership to turn out in equal number and to supersede the legal requirement so that together we have the moral and legal mandate to complete the unification process.”
Expectation of the vote had originally anticipated a turnout closer to 10% based on the industry average for trade associations. However, such a high percentage of SCAE members voting has been attributed to the significance of what was being proposed.
The close of the SCAE vote brings to an end a long discussion process as David Veal, SCAE Executive Director, comments “Talks on unification between SCAE and SCAA began in August 2013 and over the subsequent years that followed, became more and more detailed as we progressed the discussion to formalising a preliminary agreement earlier this year. I am delighted that such a significant decision was taken with the overwhelming support of our members and we all look forward to the changes ahead.”
Attention will now turn to the SCAA membership as their vote process gets underway in the coming weeks. Once the SCAA vote is complete and validated, a formal announcement will be made as to the conclusion of the unification process.
For the latest updates on unification, you can visit www.scae.com/unification or email unification@scae.com with any questions.
