Chris Bielby MBE has been named as the first president of the Association of Gas Safety Managers (AGSM).
Mr Bielby is currently director of new energy & stakeholder engagement for the Scotia Gas Networks and is a past president and fellow of the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM).

The AGSM has been set up for managers in social housing and facilities management organisations who are responsible for all aspects of gas safety. The association has been set up by CORGI Technical in response to a demand from gas managers for a professional association to address industry issues with key stakeholders and create one voice from the sector to key government departments.

It also provides members with support, networking opportunities, training and other benefits. All of the current 120 members are undertaking or have completed CORGI's VRQs in Gas Safety Management and collectively look after the gas safety management of more than a million homes across the country.

Mr Bielby has spent the past 25 years lobbying and canvassing support for gas safety issues, particularly relating to carbon monoxide, as chairman of the Gas Industry Safety Group, Gas Safety Trust and the Gas Task Group. He was president of the Institution in 2005.

Joining the industry in 1972, he started his career as a gas engineer before moving into other operational and senior managerial roles.