Hello readers, I am Peter Baker, I am 55, I am married, I have 2 children, 2 stepchildren. I have step grandchildren older than my own children, and I even have step great grandchildren. It’s quite a large mixed up family, but generally a very happy one.
I have worked for Tata Steel, which was previously known as British Steel, and then Corus, for over 25 years in various technical roles, but always within the
roofing market. You may well be wondering why somebody who works for a steel manufacturer is on the Council of SPRA, well it is because you want some diversity, as a bit like in my family, diversity is a very important factor in helping to create a full and happy outcome to any situation. If the SPRA Council was to be made up purely of people who work directly in the single ply market it would have a much narrower viewpoint. Therefore, by having Associate Members on the SPRA Council it creates a much broader view of the roofing industry as a whole. This in turn gives greater understanding and helps SPRA determine the best way forward to support the single ply manufacturers achieve greater productivity and improved quality. It also helps the single ply installation contractors achieve better detailing; assists training staff to enhance the quality of their installation work, and better networking to give greater opportunities. And from my personal point of view, a lot of single ply roofs will require a structural steel roof deck to support them, so I have to admit that my involvement with the SPRA Council is not a purely selfless task.
Being a SPRA Council member is not just hard work that is related directly to the single ply industry, it is also concerned with ensuring that SPRA are advising members of the latest Building Regulations and Eurocode changes as well as the latest information on Brexit and Covid-19 guidance. There are plenty of other issues that the Council are involved with to ensure that the whole SPRA set up runs smoothly and is providing best value for money for its members, like ensuring the membership fees are spent in the most sensible, productive and beneficial way.
This year has definitely been a unique one, with Covid-19 resulting in the SPRA Council meetings having to be held ‘virtually’ via Teams or Zoom and also with the Council having to make the tough decision to cancel not only the SPRA Conference but the SPRA Golf Day too, both of which have proved very popular with members over the years as a great way to learn and to network, plus have some fun and make some great memories at the same time. But despite the disappointments that 2020 has brought, there are still many positives, the construction industry seems to be doing well at the moment, and hopefully we will see the return of the Conference, even in a virtual format and Golf Day in 2021, plus remember that SPRA is always here to help you in any way we can.
Source: Peter Baker, Tata Steel
