I am on the board of the National Outsourcing Association (NOA) in the UK. I’m the director with the offshoring portfolio, hence my constant interest in things offshore, especially India where I have worked extensively. The NOA is a trade association with several hundred corporate members who comprise users of sourcing, advisers, and suppliers. It is a not-for-profit body and exists to promote best practice, provide independent research into outsourcing, and provide opportunities for networking for people who work in member companies.

Something that might be of interest to readers who feel that the furore over offshoring and outsourcing is a recent phenomenon is the fact that the NOA celebrates its 20th birthday on May 17 this year. Twenty years ago I was a sixth-former eagerly anticipating the release of the last ever album by The Smiths, but those board members who are older and more wrinkled (sorry, experienced) than me, were forming the trade body that is now the modern NOA.

The NOA has hired the walkways at Tower Bridge in central London for a party on May 17 to celebrate the anniversary. If you don’t know the walkways then imagine having a few drinks suspended 45m above the river Thames – it’s a really nice location and the NOA team has all sorts of entertainment planned as well. Everyone there will have an interest in outsourcing so it will be a great occasion for informal networking, but this is essentially a party – you are getting a ‘no PowerPoint’ guarantee. Take a look at the NOA web site if you are interested in learning more and joining us on the evening to raise a glass to the next 20 years of the association.