Two of the HVCA's specialist groups, have elected new chairmen and three of the four groups have also elected new vice chairmen at the Association’s recent AGM and conference in London.
Peter Rogers of Ductwork Projects, Wimborne, Dorset, is the new chairman of the Ductwork Group, taking over from Kevin White of Senior Hargreaves, Bury, Lancs, who will serve as immediate past chairman. Bob Lane of Roperhurst, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, has become vice chairman.

John Hurst of Superior Plumbing Installations, Burntwood, Staffs, has assumed the chairmanship of the Heating and Plumbing Services Group, and Billy Wilgar of A C Wilgar, Orpington, Kent, has taken on the vice chairmanship. Retiring chairman Mike Staton of Statons, Bournemouth, is the immediate past chairman.

Scott Gleed of Ceilite Air Conditioning, Stansted, Essex, remains chairman of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Group, with Tony Williams of Cool Solution Refrigeration, Cardiff, as vice chairman. Karen Leader of Barrier Air Conditioning, Orpington, Kent, is immediate past chairman.

In the Service and Facilities Group, Sue Sharp of Overclean, Honiton, Devon, continues to serve as chairman - in addition to her wider responsibilities as vice president of the Association as a whole - and is joined by Alan Gregory, Indepth Hygiene Services, Sutton, Surrey, as vice chairman. Immediate past chairman is Peter Excell of Rollright Facilities, London EC4.

Specialist group representatives on the HVCA Council are: Peter Rogers and Bob Lane (Ductwork); John Hurst and Billy Wilgar (Heating and Plumbing Services); Scott Gleed and Tony Williams (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning); and Sue Sharp and Peter Excell (Service and Facilities).

The elections took place during the combined Annual General Meetings and conference of the specialist groups, which was held at Trinity House in the City of London.

HVCA Strategic Review

In his address to the conference, HVCA president Martin Burton took the opportunity to highlight the in-depth strategic review which he and his fellow officers had undertaken across the Association.

'During the review process, I have been reminded yet again that the Association is a truly broad church - representing as it does companies of every size and geographical location, as well as a vast range of particular skills, services and specialisms,' Mr Burton said.

This had, in turn, reminded the president of the 'crucial role' that the specialist groups played in ensuring that 'the needs, interests and priorities of the whole membership' were taken fully and continuously into account when HVCA policies and strategies were put in place.

'In fact, I would suggest that, without the existence of the specialist groups, the HVCA would be unable to provide services which - while available to all members - are, in many instances, tailored to the requirements of individual specialisms,' Mr Burton continued.

Mr Burton also directed his audience's attention to the current review of the industry's craft qualifications - a process which was being carried out by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building services engineering, and into which 'the input of the specialist groups has been both central and indispensable'.

The new Qualifications and Credit Framework will deliver very distinct benefits to employer and employee alike, according to the president.

He continued: 'It will clarify the level, duration and content of all the new qualifications in a way that is easier to understand and to measure. It will ensure that the sector's qualifications fully reflect its working practices, its inherent technologies and the legislation under which it must operate. And it will mean that we have in place the skilled workforce - in terms of existing workers as well as apprentices - which we will need to meet the future demand for our services,' Mr Burton concluded.

Awards for industry's brightest young talent

As in previous years, the event provided an opportunity for presentation of awards to four of the industry's most promising people. The awards were presented by New Labour's spin-doctor-in-chief Alastair Campbell, who was guest speaker at the event.

• Adam Lister of Mansfield Pollard & Co, Bradford, was named Harry Hobbs Ductwork Trainee of the Year.
• Murray Wallace, of the Broxburn, West Lothian, office of Vaughan Engineering Services - took the Craft Trainee of the Year Award, which is sponsored by the Heating and Plumbing Services Group.
• The Harry Decker Award for top refrigeration and air conditioning trainee went to Christopher Leech of Adcock Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, based in Cambridge.
• The Service and Facilities Group's Richard Bostel Service Technician of the Year Award was presented to Craig Lewis of Mitton Aftercare, Bradford.