Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester Bosch, is standing down as chair of OFTEC after two years.

He will be succeeded by previous vice chair, Nick Hawkins, who is general manager of Deso (part of the Kingspan Group).

During his time as chair, Martyn has drawn on 35 years’ experience of working in UK and European oil, renewables and gas markets to help steer OFTEC through a period of challenge and change.

He has been instrumental in a number of key OFTEC achievements including helping to secure a major win for the oil heating industry regarding the lowering of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emission limits from boilers, with kerosene now excluded until 2022.

In addition, Martyn has helped guide OFTEC’s move into the renewables sector with the launch of new registrations in solar thermal, heat pumps and biomass later this year. Solid fuel registrations were also introduced in April. 

During his tenure, he played a major role in OFTEC’s lobbying work, in particular calling for changes to UK heating policies in the wake of the failing domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Incoming chair Nick Hawkins said: “I look forward to building on the outstanding contribution Martyn has made during his time as chair.”

Pictured above are (L to R): Martyn Bridges, Nick Hawkins and OFTEC director general Jeremy Hawksley at OFTEC’s 2015 agm and annual conference.