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PCA Continues on Growth Curve
Rewarding the cream of the UK’s building preservation industry and creating a platform for topical debate across the sector, the Property Care Association’s flagship annual conference and awards reinforced its position as the industry event for members and non-members alike. Combining a conference and awards ceremony, the event – held this year at the Royal Armouries in Leeds attracted a record audience. Regarded as the most important date on the Property Care Association’s (PCA) calendar and renowned among property professionals for offering forward thinking views and lively debate the conference started off with a discussion on flooding by Chris Netherton, from The National Flood School.
Building conservationist, Douglas Kent, Technical Secretary at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) then discussed the need for sensitive building refurbishment and the skills PCA members bring to carry out such works. Glen Wilson from Munters Air Treatments explored the effects of humidity, sources of moisture and methods of dehumidification, and Professor Naresh Magan of the mycology department at Cranfield University, discussed the causes and health implications of mould in occupied buildings. The conference concluded with Tim Blackman from CITB giving an outline of their work to support PCA members.
The event then moved on to a celebration of the cream of professionalism in the industry, with the presentation of Students of the Year and PCA Awards, which attracted high quality entries from across the UK.
The first stage of the evening was the presentation of the Student of the Year Awards, and first up to the winner’s stage was Pam Weatherhead, of Damptec Systems, who secured the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments (CSRT) award, sponsored by Triton Systems. This was presented by Janice Carey Chief Examiner for CSRT. Then Bruce Madden, of Stonehouse Property Care, took the Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW), sponsored by Delta Membrane Systems. CSSW Chief Examiner, Graham Coleman, together with Phil Hewitt, presented the award. Finally in this category, the Technician of the Year was presented to Simon Colderick, of Complete Preservation, an award sponsored by Stallard Kane Associates. Peter Macdonald, the award’s examiner, presented the accolade.
The next stage of the evening was the announcement of the winners of the PCA Awards. Now in their sixth year, these are selected by an independent panel of judges; Graham Perrior of the NHBC, Douglas Kent of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and Gerald Kelly of CITB. The first of these awards was the CITB-sponsored Training and Staff Development title, which was secured by South East Timber and Damp.
Then the Shepherd PR sponsored Innovation and Sustainability title was presented to Wise Property Care, with Cook Group recognised as Highly Commended. Project of the Year – sponsored by PAGeotechnical – was awarded for the second year running to Trace Remedial Building Services, and the PAM Ties-sponsored Contractor of the Year title went to Brick-Tie Preservation. A new award for 2014, Best New Member Application, sponsored by the PCA, was jointly won by TP Knotweed Solutions and Environmental Reclamation Services (ERS). Finally, another new award for 2014, the Employee of the Year title, sponsored by Safeguard Europe, went to Fraser Rafton, of Dryfix Preservation. Dereck Padgett from Multiskill and Gary Moody of Shaw Preservations were runners-up.
To conclude the evening, PCA Honorary Memberships were given to Bill Muir and Phil Hewitt.
Content of this article was taken from Building News- April 2014
