The RIDBA AGM took place on 15th March which saw the re-election of Chairman Mike Hammond, and the Board, for a second year. Mike also reflected on the successes of the past year and his and the Board’s plan for RIDBA in the year ahead.
As part of proceedings, the Chairman highlighted the following successes from the 2017/2018 year:
- RIDBA recruited 10 new members: five frame manufacturers, two contractor members, two supplier members and one affiliate member.
- In line with RIDBA’s membership criteria, all steel frame manufacturers joining – and current membership – were compliant on CE Marking.
- Regular and quality communications with our members through our monthly e-newsletters and the quarterly RIDBA journal, and increased our distribution of the Journal to over 1,200 recipients
- We enhanced our member services, by launching a Responsible Welding Co-ordinator course, which we sought funding from CITB to support activity. We continue to deliver this with a further course running at the end of this month.
- Enhanced online presence through the new website, ensuring it was compatible across mobile devices, plus a ‘find a member’ functionality, allowing potential clients to reach members.
- Three members’ meetings over the year: at the Bathurst Estate in October 2017 with 30 attendees, the AGM and Industry Day with over 70 attendees, and a meeting in Somerset in June 2018 attended by 28 members.
- Continuing the CE Marking campaign, with the launch of the Primary Authority Agreement with Dorset Trading Standards, allowing is a single reporting mechanism for members, to ensure we see compliance across the sector and level playing field for all companies.
Post re-election, Mike thanked the members for re-electing him for a further year and outlined his key priorities for the 2018/2019 year, saying:
“We will continue our CE Marking Campaign, taking into account the changes that may happen around Brexit – and we will hold a CE Marking Seminar on 5th June. We’ll also be continue to promote our Primary Authority Agreement, ensuring we get all of the industry operating legally.
“We will be launching the new edition of the RIDBA Farm Buildings Handbook, which is currently in its final stages of development and is planned for launch in early May.
“We want to continue to drive recruitment and provide membership services that deliver for our businesses, keep us informed, and allow us to develop as a sector.”
He also highlighted the RIDBA Awards which took place the same evening, and you can see the Winners here.
The following were duly elected at members of the Board for the 2018-2019 year:
Officers
- Chairman – Mike Hammond (United Products)
- Vice Chairman – Neil Fox (Steeltek Structural Steel)
- Junior Vice Chairman – Wesley Baines (A C Bacon Engineering)
- Immediate Past Chairman – James Anthony (M D Anthony)
- Treasurer – Alex Shufflebottom (Shufflebottom)
Frame Manufacturers
- Jim Rogerson (Farmplus Constructions)
- Antony Lowther (A J Lowther & Son)
Suppliers
- Paul Grimshaw (Kingspan)
- Phil Cleaver (AJN Steelstock)
- Steven Hopkins (Joseph Ash Galvanizing)
Other – Contractors, Affiliates and Colleges
- Andy Green (Industrial Building Solutions)
Post AGM the Board also co-opted two Honorary Members to the Board:
- Geoff Simpson
- Clive Mander