New Executive Committee for UKATA

AGM sees new members elected for 2012-13

The UK Asbestos Training Association Ltd’s (UKATA’s) fourth Annual General Meeting at Aston Villa Football Club earlier this month witnessed the appointment of a new Executive Committee (ExComm), to take the association forward for what promises to be a key year for the Asbestos industry and the Association.

The new 11-strong committee was elected and met for the first time on 18 May and are charged with building on the most successful period in the Association’s history and delivering on its ambitions for future expansion. With ExComm members drawn from the cream of the industry, and now more reflective of the membership profile, the new Committee is in an excellent position to build on the 40% surge in member numbers during 2011-12.

UKATA now has a record number of members and the new ExComm is drawn from many diverse areas of the Asbestos Industry, providing the Association with a broad range of experience and opinions. Members include David Nichol of Nichol Associates, Alan Willoughby of Coal Consultants and Professor Roger Willey from ACS Physical Risk Control, along with industry stakeholders. The committee is headed up by Chairman Mike Smith of Cape Industrial Services.

“It’s is clear we have the right mix of industry experience and talent to reinforce UKATA’s role as the authoritative source of advice when it comes to asbestos training in the UK,” said UKATA Chairman Mike Smith. “We are already working hard to promote best practice and the new committee is committed to ensuring that UKATA continues to be a powerful voice for its members by taking the lead on key asbestos training initiatives.”

This latest UKATA AGM comes at a pivotal moment for the Association, as it responds to a growing membership base and embarks on a search for a permanent Chief Executive.

UKATA is a leading authority in asbestos training in the UK, a privileged position that has only been achieved by a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and a focus on Quality and Standards. UKATA now has over 130 fee paying Members with many more Membership applications pending.

Together with the announcement of the new ExComm, the Association’s annual AGM also heard an address from the Chairman and a speech from Dr Martin Gibson from the Health and Safety Executive indicating that forthcoming legislation is likely to mean that demand for UKATA’s services will only increase in the year ahead.

UKATA members include both large and small, commercial and non-commercial training providers and the Associations objectives going forward are to continue to grow while servicing the diverse needs of its members and their aspirations for the future of asbestos training.
UKATA is always keen to talk to prospective Members who are 100% committed to the highest professional standards. For further information on UKATA, visit www.ukata.org.uk

ENDS

Photograph and caption: UKATA Excomm elected:

Back Row (L – R)
David Nichol Nichol Associates Ltd
Steve Watkins Hertel (UK) Ltd
Bob Bridge Bridge Safety and Training Ltd
Mike Smith Cape Industrial Services Ltd
Jim Caldwell Circa Consultants

Front Row (L – R)
Chris Bishop AC&T LLP
Kevin Thomas CWE Training Ltd
Eddie Strong Ferncroft Environmental
Alan Willoughby Coal Consultants Ltd
Prof. Roger Willey ACS Physical Risk Control Ltd

(Not Present at AGM)
Mike Wilkes ACAD

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