The IPA, formally constituted as a company limited by guarantee, is a membership body for those in insolvency practice; those engaged in insolvency related work; and those with an interest in insolvency. Our principal aim is to promote and maintain standards of performance and professional conduct amongst those engaged in insolvency practice. We also look to encourage wider knowledge and understanding of insolvency within and outside the insolvency profession through access to our examinations, qualifications and membership and through exposure and discussion of insolvency issues which affect the profession, its stakeholders and the general public. We have some 2,200 individual and firm members and students: we have recently widened access to affiliate membership (AIPA) and introduced a new category of affiliate firm membership for those practices, businesses and organisations which are involved in insolvency related work.