Welcoming Sarah Garry the PCA's new CEO
I am delighted to have joined the Property Care Association (PCA) earlier this week as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Over the last 90 years, the PCA has had a strong history of representing members across the full property care sector. I am delighted to bring my 20 years’ experience in the membership sector, including seven years with construction trade body Build UK, to the association.
For more than 20 years, current Chief Executive Steve Hodgson, has brought his ambition and technical expertise to enhance the association’s perception externally: growing our training, increasing our membership and ensuring clear technical advice for members and the wider public.
As a result of this work, earlier this year the PCA’s qualifications Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment (CSRT) now Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness in Buildings (CSDTB/CSDB) and Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW) were recognised as demonstrators of expertise in Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home.
In combination with the recommendation that landlords use trade association and TrustMark members, this legislation will ensure high standards within the damp control sector, whilst driving new business to our members.
Drawing on this, my immediate priorities include amplifying our links with Government and policymakers to ensure other sectors our members operate in, are recognised in the same way. As the government and opposition both suggest prioritisation of both new house building and retrofitting, the association will need to continue to be a partner in those strategies; providing leadership and technical expertise to ensure our members and the wider public benefit.
Despite one in eight people in the UK working within the construction sector, members continue to tell us that there is a lack of potential new entrants to the sector. This will negatively impact on members’ ability to deliver high quality work in future if they are not able to attract interested new entrants to join.
Early in the new year, I will be working with the association Board to set a new strategy; clarifying our direction of travel and allowing us to prioritise the actions which will have the maximum impact for members.
To provide input to this process, I am looking forward to meeting with you at our members’ meeting on Thursday 7th December from 10am to 11.30am via Zoom. I would love to hear from you at the meeting on what you would like to see from the PCA into the future. To find out more or to register, please contact Lisa Nieddu ([email protected]).