Meet the PCA Board

Meet the Board Members of the Property Care Association

With extensive background and unparalleled knowledge in the construction and property care industry along with years of served experience in environmental management.

Ben Hickman - Chair

Company: CSSW London Waterproofing

Ben Hickman has been in the damp and timber industry since 2010 having previously been a contractor member and then an independent surveyor. Ben is now the technical director of CLW and consults on structural waterproofing including defect diagnosis, expert witness and waterproofing design development.

He has a Masters from the University of Cambridge. His research, which was partly funded by the PCA Bursary, included topics such as waterproofing additives for basement concrete and podium deck waterproofing. Ben sat on the British Standards committee revising BS 8102 and has contributed to best practice guidance with NHBC, Premier Guarantee and CIRIA.

Richard Schofield - Deputy Chairman

Company: Phlorum Ltd

Richard has been an environmental consultant for over twenty years. He started as a contamination specialist and then developed as an environmental manager. Richard co-founded Phlorum in 2003, which became a key player in the knotweed control industry.

Richard’s invasive species experience includes providing specialist advice and services to treat a range of non-native invasive species, including expert witness services for several legal cases. Richard has contributed to the working groups that produced the knotweed guidance for the RICS and numerous documents for the PCA. He also assists with the marking of examination papers for the PCA Japanese knotweed courses.

Emily Walker

Company: GCP Applied Technologies Ltd

As a ‘self confessed waterproofing geek’, Emily has many years of experience within the waterproofing sector and currently works for GCP Applied Technologies Ltd. Emily also draws on experience from working with Mining Engineers in the heavy civils industry. 

Her philosophy has always been that ‘every day is a school day’ and she is committed to the continuous development of skills and knowledge.

Richard Williams

Company: Cornerstone

Richard has worked with the big three ventilation manufacturers (Nuaire, EnviroVent and Volution Group), holding senior positions with two of them.  His time was spent focusing on residential ventilation and why, Damp, Mould and Condensation was occurring. 

He has been at the forefront of Building Regulation consultations and worked with the German ventilation trade association in connection with developing a BS/EN13141 standard for PIV (13141-11).  Chaired working group 156 for CEN which is the European equivalent of British Standards with 34 member states involved.  

He now works with Housing Providers providing training, coaching and specialised surveys.

Laura Beveridge

Company: Visqueen

Laura has over twelve years of experience in the built environment, including six years at Visqueen LTD and her Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW). In her current role, Laura specialise inensuring competency and excellence in design for our clients, withthe Building Safety Act serving as the cornerstone of our methodology.

For the past two years, Laura has dedicated herself to comprehending and implementing the Building Safety Act, integrating its principles into Visqueen's operations and client projects. Laura frequently collaborate with her innovation team to develop new products and is currently creating a platform to further educate their employees, enhancing their competence in relevant areas.

Laura is passionate about continuous learning and is committed to exceeding the expectations of her company, the industry, and herself.

Graham Bruce

Company: Richardson & Starling

Graham has over 25 years of expereince within the damp and timber preservation sector and currently holds CSRT, CSSW, SMSTS and IOSH. Graham began working in the property industry with a local charteredsurveying practice in Ayrshire, whilst studying Land Economics at Paisley University. The small surveying practice was absorbed by national building surveying firm D M Hall where Graham continued training as a property valuation surveyor.

Graham moved to Richardson & Starling as a trainee preservation surveyor in October 1996. His training within R&S involved on the tools experience and practical learning through direct involvement with surveying, planning and supervising all elements of building preservation, progressing to CSRT qualified surveyor in 1999 and CSSW in 2006. Internal promotions lead to various positions within R&S of senior surveyor, assistant branch manager, branch manager, area manager, regional director and managing director
in April 2021.

Graham has a passion for traditional preservation repair methods and also keen on new innovation within the damp and timber preservation sector.

Sarah Garry - Chief Executive

Company: Property Care Association

Sarah join the PCA in November 2023 after spending 20 years working with membership and trade associations; including for construction trade bodies and in the international medical sector. 

Prior to PCA, Sarah led the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) where she was Company Secretary and responsible for the day-to-day management of all of its activities including delivering the annual strategy, operational and staff management. She led the delivery of the multi-award winning World Congress of Soil Science 2022, and was a trustee of the company set up to manage the delivery of the event.

Sarah acts as Company Secretary to the Board.