New appointment at trade assocation

The Property Care Association, which represents the building preservation industry in the UK, has appointed two industry professionals to senior roles.

Mark Edwards, managing director of Timberwise, is now acting chairman and Martin Hughes, of Yorkshire Damp Course, acting deputy chairman of the Association.

Mr Edwards - previously the PCA deputy chairman – moves into the new role replacing previous chairman, George Hockey, of Glossop-based Trace.

Both men’s key roles include promoting the expertise of the PCA and raising awareness of its profile in the consumer sector. They hold the posts until May 2008.

The Property Care Association (PCA) has been in existence for four years as part of the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA) but in 2006 officially became an independent association, along with the Wood Protection Association.

The new Associations have been created to concentrate on their own areas of expertise – namely for the Property Care Association damp - proofing and timber treatment, structural repairs, structural waterproofing and flood remediation.

Mr Edwards said: “We are looking forward to playing a part in the ongoing development of the PCA.

"It is vital that consumers use companies with the right level of expertise to carry out the works in this industry and we need to get that message across."

Although a relatively new trade body, the Property Care Association has inherited the stability and professional strengths of the BWPDA and its 75 year history.

This includes the choice of a long-term FSA regulated specialist insurance policy, and a UK-wide list of contractor members who are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once dmitted to the Association.

The Property Care Association is also a member of TrustMark the scheme supported by Government, to help property owners find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to make home improvements.