Scott Strawbridge, executive vice president of the Mechanical Contractors' Association (MCA) of Northern California, has become only the fifth person in the HVCA's history to receive its Distinguished Service Award, the highest honour which the Association can bestow on an individual.

Gary Nicholls, chairman of the Ventilation Hygiene Branch of the HVCA Service and Facilities Group, is celebrating his company's achievement of a "full house" of international quality accreditations.

HVCA past president Peter Hoyle has been elected president of GCI-UICP, the European umbrella body for the mechanical services and plumbing industries.

HVCA members are being encouraged to take advantage of the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Forum, which has been established - with the endorsement of the government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - by four of the UK's leading operators of approved contractor schemes.

Widespread non-compliance with legislation designed to address the twin challenges of sustainability and carbon reduction is already jeopardising the nation's ability to meet its long-term environmental targets, according to HVCA president Graham Manly.

The Building Services Engineering Employment Agency Alliance is providing a valuable forum for the review of key workforce issues - and an effective platform for the initiation of positive action - jointly by contractors and their principal manpower providers.

The building services engineering sector has a great deal to gain from the increasing global commitment to carbon reduction and energy conservation, according to HVCA president Graham Manly.

Graham Manly has been elected president of the HVCA for 2009/10.

The HVCA has launched a heating helpline to promote energy efficiency in the home and raise the profile of members active in the residential marketplace.

Chairman Jim O'Neil has confirmed that M&E Sustainability - the joint venture between the HVCA and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) - will continue its sponsorship of the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings (CEREB), which is currently under construction at London South Bank University.

President Gareth Vaughan outlined to industry colleagues worldwide the principal challenges currently being faced by HVCA members and the UK building services engineering sector.

I could not let it pass....

I have finally moved into a new house with my partner Lizzie, after six weeks of refurbishment. In true Hendra tradition, we have bought a house, which is an ecological disaster area....

How many times have you been told about or even shown a device that will help save you or your customers, significant amounts of energy and therefore save bundles of money?...