1. AGCAS Achievements 2007-8 & Challenges in 2009 Margaret Dane AGCAS Chief Executive

2. Introduction Welcome Background Overview

3. AGCAS Aims & Objectives Promoting excellence and sharing best practice Leading, supporting and representing members Delivering training courses, events & conferences Facilitating communication, networking & partnerships Providing high quality IAG products & services Raising the profile of HE Careers Services & AGCAS Promoting AGCAS membership and its benefits Operating effectively as a charity and a company Aims met through programmes, projects, services & events

4. Review & highlights of 2007-8 Voluntary activity: trainers, writers, Board, 23 Task Groups, 8 regional training groups, 15 specialist groups, 52 Liaison Officers with professional bodies, SSCs etc 64 training events & conferences involving over 2000 Over 300 products with GP plus AGCAS DVDs, toolkits and other publications for expanding & diverse members Communications: website redevelopment, AGCAS profile & branding, discussion lists, major revision of Phoenix, membership surveys & feedback, extensive external relations with govt. & over 70 organisations Details in Trustees Report & Accounts pages 6 - 12

5. Challenges in 2009 & beyond Western economic downturn & impact on graduates Resource issues for HE institutions, services & AGCAS Diversity, positioning and focus of HE careers services International competition in HE & labour markets Work experience, employability & entrepreneurship Working for a sustainable future Professional standards & recognition in guidance sector AGCAS membership growth, diversification & development AGCAS profile, branding & external relations

6. Appreciation and thanks to AGCAS Board, Task Group & all active group members Contributors to AGCAS & GP information products & DVDs Trainers at regional, national & bespoke training events Contributors to ARENA, Phoenix & AGCAS discussion lists All those raising AGCAS profile, reputation and professional standards across the sector AGCAS staff team in Sheffield and beyond Special thanks and tribute to Rose Mortenson for her contribution to training & professional development and to quality & membership development as an AGCAS staff member for over 12 years. She will be sorely missed.