FROM THE E D I TO R Broadening the business T his year began with a flurry of mergers and acquisitions, indicating that industry consolidation is back on the agenda again, having been put on hold during the pandemic. The launch of the second FIDI Conference to take place since the first lockdowns is another sign that global mobility has returned to more everyday concerns. But, of course, the sector has also moved on significantly from where it was three years ago. The mandate from clients for improving sustainability has gained momentum (for a different perspective on corporate clients cutting household goods shipments in the name of sustainability, read the opinion column on pages 66-68). Meanwhile, homeworking and other tech solutions have facilitated alternatives to previously accepted models of mobility. As one commentator in this issues feature on the diversification of moving services puts it: People will always move. But the way they do it will change. Accordingly, movers of all types across the world are looking to expand their remit, broadening the basket of services they provide. These include handling the moving and administration of household pets; moving fine artworks and setting up exhibitions. The good news for traditional corporate or household goods movers is that when it comes to developing and marketing these new services, they are already in pole position. COVID highlighted them as the well-qualified and caring doers at the heart of any moving process, who have the skills and understanding of what it takes to carry out the transferee-facing business end of the job. With more people around the world taking on a household pet, demand for storage facilities on the rise, and the appetite for exhibitions and other cultural events returning after months of restrictions, these are flourishing sectors, too. Its a risk to rely on a single area in any business and, as moves continue to shrink and competition increases, diversification is a sensible strategy. This is a topic we will return to regularly in the magazine in the coming months and one that will be discussed by Delegates at the 2023 FIDI Conference in Bangkok. For all those making the journey to Thailand, enjoy the event and make the most of the extensive business and social programme FIDI has put together. If youd like to meet FIDI Focus there, please email me at editor@fidifocus.org DOMINIC WEAVER 11