Martin Harvey of Harvey Environmental Services looks back at the Association's successes during 2014, and forward to the year ahead:

Four years ago we set out a strategy for the Association to support our members in the 21st century and beyond. Since then we have been working hard to realise our aspirations. On reflection we can be proud of many substantive areas of progress that have provided us with the platform from which to continue to grow in both reach and influence. This year we began the process of re-defining our strategic ambitions, and I will share more on this in the New Year. This year we were publically acknowledged for our contribution to driving forward the professionalism agenda, with BPCA being awarded the CEPA European Association of the Year 2014. Awards are all well and good, but we must continue to drive the sector forward to ensure professionals are seen as safe hands for the stewardship of biocides. Looking forward to 2015, through our new criteria for individuals, we have demonstrated our aspiration to be at the forefront of professionalism, a stance that the HSE themselves have acknowledged as best practice.

This year we were publically acknowledged for our contribution to driving forward the professionalism agenda, with BPCA being awarded the CEPA European Association of the Year 2014. Awards are all well and good, but we must continue to drive the sector forward to ensure professionals are seen as safe hands for the stewardship of biocides. Looking forward to 2015, through our new criteria for individuals, we have demonstrated our aspiration to be at the forefront of professionalism, a stance that the HSE themselves have acknowledged as best practice.

For yet another consecutive year we can point to growth in our membership, with our membership total reaching almost 650 companies across 20 countries. Much of this growth has predominantly been driven by companies attracted to our stance on professionalism. We acknowledge not every member company gets it right first time, every time but our aim is to show them the right way forward, and help them to grow to achieve this.

In tandem with that we have seen servicing members meet the challenge of the change to our criteria, which now include those involved in control and eradication of pests to hold an appropriate qualification and demonstrate continued competence to practice through CPD. The Membership chose this route back in 2010, and it has been a difficult road. I have been heartened to see that the vast majority of companies either achieve the standard already, or will be striving to get there with our help and support.

In keeping with year-on-year growth we launched our PPC Live event, a trade show and expert seminar programme touring the UK. This show is a further demonstration of both the development of the BPCA and the industry. We saw the HSE bring in criteria for stewardship of SGARs which mirror our own, ensuring every member company (and their staff) are ‘future-proofed' against legislation.

Pest Control's impact is something that we've spoken a lot about during the year and we have tried to reflect that in the work we have produced. Two shining examples of that were PPC Live and our partnership with the BRC, which looked at the new food safety specification and training for auditors. We will be developing this theme with next year's PestEx, which will look at the important role that professional pest control has in food and retail organisations, and bringing a range of high-profile pest control clients to PestEx for the first time.

We have been busy behind the scenes as well with key appointments in our leadership team with roles focused on developing our events programme as well as driving forward our professionalism agenda through education and training. We've been investing in getting the right skills into the business to support our strategic aims as well as refining the tools and processes that will support our operation. Essentially this is a careful balance between growing our business as well as investing our funds wisely; something that I believe we have achieved this year. All of this will see us enhancing our services to members and representing the industry among key opinion formers.

So what does the next twelve months hold? A continuation of this progress, but I expect to see us propel ourselves off of this solid platform we have built over the past few years. I believe, given the feedback I have received at events and meetings that BPCA has most definitely changed for the better. We are moving in the right direction and intend to continue our direction of travel into 2015 and beyond.

One final thought; professionalism is a long road, and the BPCA cannot walk it alone. We need to bring the market place with us, ensuring clients understand the need to buy the right service levels. Achieving this costs money, so we are very grateful for your support through this year and going forwards.

My best for your Christmas and a very healthy and successful 2015.

Martin Harvey
BPCA President

Source: BPCA.org.uk