BESA salutes former president Edgar Poppleton

UK: The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) to its former president Edgar Poppleton, who died recently at the age of 87.

The former MD of ductwork manufacturer and installation contractor E Poppleton & Son, he served as president of what was then the HVCA in 1986/7, receiving the association’s distinguished service award in 1999.

Born in Colwyn Bay in 1934, Edgar Poppleton was the grandson of the founder of the family firm, now branded as Poppleton.

He served as chair of numerous committees and his local region, contributed to many technical publications, and became a board director of several HVCA subsidiaries. A Fellow of CIBSE, he was also a recognised ventilation expert beyond the UK and took inspiration from many of the ideas shared with like-minded engineers in Europe and the US.

“BESA and the ventilation industry have both lost a true champion and distinguished innovator,” said current BESA president Neil Brackenridge. “Edgar was respected, but also widely popular. He gave tirelessly and selflessly of his time to help improve our industry and his fellow engineers.

“He leaves an amazing legacy that lives on through the ongoing success of the company and the Association to which he gave so much.”

Former BESA chief executive Robert Higgs OBE said he would remember Edgar with great fondness adding that he should have been extremely proud of all he achieved.

“Without doubt, he elevated the position of his company, the ductwork sector, the HVCA, and the industry,” said Higgs.

“Whilst being highly regarded for his professionalism, commitment, preparedness, and attention to detail, members and staff will remember him as being amongst the most genial, supportive and effective of the association’s presidents.”