Dear Team Modeshift Member,
In recent months, the UK’s two largest sustainable and active travel membership organisations, Modeshift and Act TravelWise, have been in discussions about combining our knowledge, expertise, and networks in order to increase the profile of sustainable travel across the UK.
After in-depth discussions between the Boards of Modeshift and Act TravelWise, it has been agreed that the organisations would be stronger as one single entity. As such, Modeshift are now proposing to make an acquisition of Act TravelWise.
The objectives of the acquisition are:
- To create one large organisation, with the best expertise in the UK that exists to drive sustainable travel forward to ensure that it plays its role in delivering both national and international de-carbonisation targets.
- To create a stronger focal point for sustainable travel professionals.
- To bring new and enhanced services for all members.
- To bring together a wider range of members working together as part of Team Modeshift
On Wednesday 26th January, the Act TravelWise Board wrote to its members, informing them of the intention to become part of Modeshift, and setting out what this will mean for members. This proposal is now out for consultation, and will be put to Act TravelWise members to enable them to vote for or against it at their Annual General Meeting on the 2nd March 2022.
As an existing member of Team Modeshift, we are writing to you now to seek your thoughts and input on these proposals. If you have anything that you’d like to share, or if you have any questions, then please reply in writing to admin@modeshift.org.uk referencing “ActTW/Modeshift 2022’ by 22nd February 2022.
Further Details
Background
With climate change and the decarbonisation of transport high on the current global and UK political agenda, sustainable transport and active travel are proving to be in the vanguard of transport and sustainable policy within the UK as never before. To ensure that the ongoing initiatives, innovation, and achievements are capitalised upon and widely disseminated, and that the profile of sustainable travel continues to increase, the Boards of Modeshift and Act TravelWise believe that it is important to increase collaboration and to reduce the fragmentation of the organisations in the space of sustainable transport and active travel. This will enable us to pool our resources, reach a wider audience and have a greater impact.
Proposal
We therefore propose that Act TravelWise should be acquired by Modeshift on 1st April 2022. This will allow Act TravelWise to operate within a larger organisation and benefit from the increased resources, and operational and strategic support that will be made available to it. Act TravelWise Members will become members of Modeshift with an Act TravelWise package. Act TravelWise Members will continue to be part of an Act TravelWise network with online events, a conference, and other services. In addition, members will also benefit from access to Modeshift’s resources, while the organisation’s IT, digital and administrative resources will be combined. Hence, the Modeshift Delivery Team will remain responsible for delivering all member services, including those of Act TravelWise Members.
As part of this acquisition, all organisations will become Members of Modeshift and will receive a range of digital services including:
- Access to the Modeshift Member’s website (Forums, documents, resources, networks)
- Modeshift Matters weekly news digest (including events, news, and free job postings)
- Social media activity (LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook)
Please note, your current Modeshift Membership or Partnership package will remain unchanged. In fact, this acquisition will enable Modeshift to develop and offer new services, both to our existing Members, as well as to Act TravelWise Members and new members. The combined organisation aims to develop these in the course of 2022.
Further details on these proposals will be presented at the upcoming Modeshift Regional meetings which are taking place throughout February. For details of these meetings please visit Upcoming Events – Modeshift – Sustainable Travel
