May 2025 – Strategic priorities update

| April 16, 2025

RSGB strategic objectives for the year aheadBob Beebe, GU4YOX

Firstly, I would like to express my deep pride and honour in serving the RSGB Board and you, our valued members, as your President for the next two years. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at various national and international events that I hope to attend.

Looking back

Reflecting on our history, let us turn back a hundred years to 1925, when the esteemed scientist Sir Oliver Lodge was elected as President of the Society. Just a year earlier, long-distance shortwave communications were virtually unheard of. However, within a year, long-distance trans-equatorial contacts had become commonplace. That same year, the RSGB President met with Hiram Percy Maxim, President of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and together with the French National Radio Society (REF), they laid the foundation for a global union of national radio societies. This collaboration led to the establishment of the first international radio prefixes.

This year, we proudly celebrate the centenary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), and I hope to represent the Society at the centenary celebrations in Paris in April, in addition to participating on air with the IARU special callsign GB0IARU. As we mark this milestone, it is crucial to consider where we stand today as a hobby and as a national society. If we aspire to be here in another hundred years, we must ensure that our foundations remain strong and ready for the future. Just as radio technology has evolved over the past century, it will undoubtedly continue to transform in the next hundred years. Yet, the spirit of amateur radio will persist, and our tradition of national and international friendship will continue to flourish.

Looking forward

Raising the profile of the Society both domestically and internationally is a key priority. As experts in our field and as a learned society, we have much to offer to both our current members and prospective members. Since my election as President, I have retired from a 48-year career in the electricity industry. This new chapter allows me to dedicate my time and energy to amateur radio and our community. I am eager to support our dedicated volunteers and, most importantly, you, our members, in fostering and expanding our shared passion for communication. This is the amateur spirit that unites us all.

To prepare for the future, I wish to outline some clear high-level objectives that have been agreed for the Board and Society’s volunteers to work towards, to ensure the RSGB remains fit for purpose in the years to come. Over the past 18 months, we have shared our strategy updates through RadCom, our website and our other communication channels, and I hope you have found them insightful. Our strategic direction is built upon four key pillars:

  • The growth of amateur radio

  • Membership of the RSGB

  • Spectrum and licensing

  • Ensuring the continued financial stability of the Society

These four pillars form the foundation of our strategic ecosystem, interconnecting who we are today with our aspirations for the future.

Further objectives

The growth of amateur radio is essential to our long-term sustainability. Last year, over 3,000 examinations were taken across Foundation, Intermediate, and Full levels. This a great achievement indeed. Our goal is to increase this number by 5% over the next 12 months. Our outreach teams have been working tirelessly to engage young people through various amateur radio activities. Each one of you has a role to play in mentoring and guiding fellow enthusiasts and potential radio amateurs. Through the efforts of local clubs across Britain, interest in our hobby continues to expand.

Membership of the Society is equally vital. We are the future of the RSGB, and we have set a target of increasing our membership base by 2% over the next twelve months. As part of our commitment to financial stability, we aim to return to a break-even position within the next 24 months. Additionally, we will initiate a comprehensive financial strategic review to identify new revenue streams and enhance the benefits offered to our members. This review will also include an assessment of membership rates to ensure a fair and inclusive offering for all. Furthermore, we are committed to streamlining our membership application process, making it clearer and more accessible for all who wish to join our community.

Safeguarding our spectrum remains a priority, and we will continue to advocate for the retention and potential expansion of the existing rights granted to UK radio amateurs.

I will also focus on fostering relationships with other institutions and stakeholders to elevate our national and international profile. Participation in clubs, rallies, and conventions will further strengthen our presence. I am particularly pleased that this year, we were recognised as an official partner for British Science Week. Over the next year, we aim to expand this initiative, encouraging members to become STEM Ambassadors and actively engage with young people. Empowering the next generation is integral to the Society’s long-term success.

The Board and I are anticipating a busy and productive two years ahead. Most importantly, I also look forward to making contact with many of you on the air. As we reflect on the past century with pride, we must also look forward with enthusiasm. The RSGB would not exist without its dedicated members and volunteers, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your support.

Here is to the next hundred years – I look forward to meeting you all soon.

73

Bob Beebe, GU4YOX

RSGB President

Category: RSGB Notices, RSGB Strategic Priorities