So this is my last Weekly News as CEO of SPRA. I step down at the end of the week and Ronan takes over. Tomorrow will be my last Council Meeting and I am quite sad that this will not be face to face, but at least with virtual meeting software I will be able to see everyone.
I can’t really believe that I have been at the helm for almost 5 years. The time has passed so quickly. I have learnt a lot and made a lot of friends along the way too. It has been a real pleasure to work for the SPRA members and the wider industry and I will enjoy continuing to contribute from the sidelines for a little while at least.
My biggest aim over this time was to create a real community within SPRA, because with community comes strength. Listening, learning and hopefully supporting all members and helping them to embrace all opportunities for collective action and to appreciate and benefit from the power and influence this gives them and the organisation to make the industry a better place. If I didn’t totally succeed in this, I hope I came close.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have given their patience, time and knowledge to me on my SPRA journey, especially Jim Hooker, Ronan Brunton , Sheryle Primett, Liz Freeman and Lisa Clunie – a marvellous bunch! All Council members past and present, SPRA members of course and other stakeholders outside of SPRA. In particular, I would like to thank Sarah Spink of LRWA for being of a like mind and seeking out all opportunities for our two organisations to work together for the benefit of all, whilst maintaining our own strong voices for our specialist sectors. This collaboration has already produced exceptional benefits for our members and has resulted in greater influence for our sectors and roofing in general.
Special thanks must also go to Martyn Holloway (Chair), Tony Ferri (Vice Chair) Anthony Carlyle (Chair for first two years) and Nigel Blacklock (Technical Chair) for their tremendous support and guidance to me personally in this time, and also to SPRA in the amount of work they voluntarily give to this organisation and it’s members.
And finally, I want to wish Ronan all the best as your new CEO as he takes SPRA into the new future that awaits us all.
Source: Cathie Clarke, CEO SPRA