Keller’s retirement sparks B&ES reshuffle

UK: The retirement of Gareth Keller as head of Specialist Group services has sparked a reshuffle of responsibilities at the contractors’ association B&ES.

Gareth joined B&ES – then known as the HVCA – in 1996 as Ductwork Group secretary, being appointed head of Specialist Group services in July 2001.

Following Gareth Keller’s retirement, Mark Oakes has been appointed to the new post of head of Specialist Group services and Association secretary. He will provide the secretariat for the Association’s four specialist groups – covering ductwork, heating and plumbing services, refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, and service and facilities – and to the B&ES Council, the Association’s governing body. Responsibility for the technical aspects of the work of the specialist groups – in particular, the development and revision of the Association’s wide range of specifications and guides to good practice – will pass to Bob Towse, B&ES head of technical and safety.

Mark Oakes joined the staff of the Association as a specialist group services officer in 2006, and during the past eight years has taken on additional responsibilities for the Joint Major Contractors’ Group – comprising the UK’s largest mechanical and electrical specialists – and the Building & Engineering Services Employers’ Alliance, which is committed to the modernisation of the sector’s industrial relations landscape.

During his previous career he held a wide variety of marketing and communications management posts in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.