Licensing membership bodies to merge in April

The proposed merger between the Institute of Licensing (IoL) and National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers (NALEO) is to be effective from 1 April 2025.

The two organisations said the merger would create “a strong and unified voice for all matters related to licensing policy, practice, and enforcement”.

They added that the merger would bring “numerous benefits to members, including a unified professional body with one membership subscription, a stronger core organisation, and enhanced management structure for those working in local authorities but also police, legal profession and industry”.

The new organisation will retain the IoL name with the addition of a strapline “incorporating the National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers” for at least three years or until chartered status is achieved.

John Miley, Chair of NALEO, will be co-opted onto the IoL Board and chair a ‘local authority’ interest committee.

Further details of the merger arrangements will be discussed and confirmed in the coming months, IoL and NALEO said.

Kate Nicholls, IoL National Chair, said: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement to merge.  The IoL and NALEO have worked alongside each other now for years, as well as collaborating on a number of projects.

“Merging to become a single organisation is the natural next step, providing our members with a single representative professional body, and it will be a pleasure to welcome John as a fellow Board member.”

Institute of Licensing CEO, Paul Adams, said: “This is a fantastic achievement.  It was clear from the negotiations that everyone was aligned in recognising the merger as an opportunity to consolidate resources and move forward as a single, strong, and united organisation for the benefit of our members.”

National Chair for NALEO, John Miley, said: “NALEO and the IoL have long worked together on many projects, sharing a common goal in representing the licensing profession and recognising the important role that local authorities play. The merged organisation will bring a stronger unified voice for all licensing professionals and strengthen the benefits to all members. We look forward to working together for the common good.”