BCAS strengthens support with new board appointments

THE BRITISH Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has elected two new board directors: Wendy Hayward, managing director of Aircare Compressor Services and Dean Horn, sales director at Wearside Pneumatics. This is to further strengthen its representation of small to medium compressed air distributor members which comprise over 50% of the society's membership base. 
 
The news follows the appointment of Meltem Soydan Middleton-Duff, from Hertz Kompresson earlier in the year, who is the chair of the Training and Development Committee and has also been co-opted as a director of BCAS.

Increasing participation
 
BCAS executive director Vanda Jones discussed the reasons for the new appointments and how they will help provide further support to BCAS members during these challenging times.
 
"As BCAS continues to grow and develop the BCAS Board is focused on ensuring the Society is fit for purpose and with a focus on the future. Listening to the members voice and creating an inclusive society is a keen focus," said Vanda. 

"We are committed to helping compressed air users operate more efficiently, compliantly and safely, so it is essential that we communicate effectively with all our members.

"From providing guidance on mitigating health and safety risks, to implementing compressed air energy saving initiatives during a time of unprecedented price increases, our distribution members have a key role to play in shaping the future of our industry.  

"We approached our membership and asked for expressions of interest and following director interviews we are delighted to announce we have appointed a further three directors," she added.
 
The new directors

Wendy Hayward is looking forward to the challenges of representing the distribution sector. With Aircare Compressors having grown from just four employees to its current scale, she has a keen interest in representing smaller BCAS members, improving communication and giving support to the industry after more than 30 years in distribution.

"I am excited by the challenge. Distribution is a thriving compressor sales channel in the UK, comprising many small to medium businesses that have built up impressive customer portfolios and technical knowledge over the years. However, as SMEs they face numerous challenges, such as staying abreast of legislative and regulatory change and ensuring staff are trained and developed continually - all while managing their own business and employees," she stated.

"I hope that with my 30 years' experience in distribution I can bring first-hand experience of these challenges to the board and work with the team to further support our distributor members."

Representing distributors 

Dean Horn brings with him a wealth of experience and is looking forward to representing the distribution businesses and ensuring they have a voice at the BCAS board. With an interest in energy and complete system audits, Dean has already started to work on new system audit processes and training modules

"After more than 16 years in the industry, I felt it was time to give something back and am delighted to have this opportunity to help further support our distributor network," he explained. "BCAS has an excellent reputation for providing timely and accurate information, backed by industry-leading training to its members; helping them to stay compliant and safe.  

"I am hoping to provide insight on how this information can be tailored further to support distributors, especially around the areas of energy-reduction and legislative compliance."

Meltem Soydan Middleton-Duff will be looking at the growing range of training courses provided, and how BCAS can best equip members, engineers and customers with the practical skills required to ensure that compressed air installations are fit for the future - alongside her interest in international trade. She also brings new representation for compressor manufacturers to the board

For more information:

www.bcas.org.uk

Tel: 0207 935 2464