BEN trims costs to ride out the recession

The current recession is hitting the automotive and related industries particularly hard with sales of new cars in the first quarter of 2009 down 30% on the same period last year. In such a climate, the industry is hard-pressed to maintain its financial contributions to BEN, the charity that supports those who work or have worked in the industry. And yet, it is at times like these that more colleagues from across all sectors within the industry need our help.

BEN’s income from donations and fundraising activities has fallen by 10% over the past 12 months and is likely to fall even further next year while 10% more people have approached BEN for help. The extent of the decline, and concerns over the length of the recovery period, has led to a fundamental review of costs in BEN.

The Executive team has developed a programme of cost savings totalling more than £1 million, the majority of which will be achieved through changes to working arrangements and a reduced staff headcount. Consultations with staff over these proposed changes are currently taking place.

Commenting on the cost saving programme, David Main, Chief Executive of BEN, said;
“We have to respond to the expected drop in our income but we remain determined that we will continue to deliver high quality care and support to residents in our four centres and to the 15,000 men, women and children we help in the community. We still enjoy fantastic support from those in our industry, even if their capacity to give financial help to us at this time is reduced.”