Hydraulics & Pneumatics July/August 2022

updates from www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS July/August 2022 119 Contact BCAS at Tel: 020 7935 2464 e-mail: info@bcas.org.uk website: www.bcas.org.uk The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has elected two new board directors. Vanda Jones, BCAS executive director, talks about the new appointments and how the Society continues to grow to help meet members’ needs. 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. 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.” The new directors Wendy Hayward, managing director of Aircare Compressor Services Ltd, 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. Dean Horn, sales director at Wearside Pneumatics Ltd, 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, Horn has already started to work on new system audit processes and training modules. Meltem Soydan Middleton-Duff from Hertz Kompresson was appointed earlier in the year. She is the chair of the Training and Development Committee and has also been co-opted as a director of BCAS. She 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. Hayward says: “I am excited by the British Compressed Air Society strengthens support with new board appointments 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. 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.” Horn says: “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. 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.” Wendy Hayward. Dean Horn. Meltem Soydan Middleton-Duff.