Associations must work collaboratively

UK: Neil Roberts the current chair of FETA and president of the British Refrigeration Association has called for allied trade associations to work collaboratively to represent a common industry view.

Speaking at the 35th annual FETA lunch in London on Thursday, Roberts welcomed the “positive impact” of the government’s removal of the UKCA requirement, but warned that we should not rely on government having all the answers.

“We should take the lead where we can, developing well thought through policy positions that reflect the views of the membership and can be taken to government as workable solutions that are fully supported by industry,” he said.  

“This also highlights the need for us as FETA and the individual trade associations to work collaboratively with other trade associations in the same or associated sectors to represent a common industry view which has a strong appeal for government.”

Roberts insisted that this would enable industry to be a positive influence in meeting the ambition of government and providing certainty for Industry.

Tributes 

During his presentation, Neil Roberts also paid tribute to two BRA stalwarts, lan Garvey and David Simmonds, who both passed away earlier this year. “Our thoughts are very much with their families today,” he said.

A fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration, Ian Garvey, was technical director of Pure Cold Ltd when he passed away at the beginning of the year at the age of 63. He was previously technical director at Carter Retail Systems for 18 years.

Ian Garvey played a pivotal role in shaping the industry through his work over 25 years with the BRA commercial refrigerated cabinets section and BSI standards committee.

David Simmonds died in January at the age of 85 after a 40-year association with the industry.

Simmonds joined Searle Manufacturing in 1964 as a sales engineer, progressing to sales director, before leaving in 1983 to take up a similar role at Prestcold. He became general manager and director in 1991, continuing in the role following the company’s acquisition by Copeland in 1996. He officially retired in 1996 but was persuaded back into the industry to take up a position with Arctic Circle as director of sales and marketing. After two years he was head-hunted to take up the role of managing director of Bitzer UK.