IoL and NALEO Announce Merger Effective April 1st, 2025

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) and National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers (NALEO) are delighted to announce that they will formally merge on 1^st April 2025.

The two organisations have decided to come together as one, creating a strong and unified voice for all matters related to licensing policy, practice, and enforcement. This merger is an important step, combining their long-standing histories and shared dedication to the licensing profession.

The merger will 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.

Existing benefits like strengthened regional meetings, discounted training, weekly news updates, website resources, regular publications, stronger government representation, and free vacancy advertising will continue and improve. Additionally, the merger will offer a strengthened training offer and greater development potential for professional qualifications. Further details of the merger arrangements will be discussed and confirmed in the coming months.

Merger Overview:

• 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.

• The IoL regions will be retained in their current form.

• The merger will not require changes to membership categories. Existing lifelong honorary memberships will be preserved, and new honorary memberships will not be offered by the merged organisation.

• IoL and NALEO awards, including the Jeremy Allen Award and the Brian Denby Award, will be incorporated within the award opportunities with clear criteria and methodology.

• Professional qualifications will be reviewed by the new organisation. All training, courses and events will be kept up to date, relevant, and best value.

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.’