IPAF appoints new president as Summit opens in London

Nick Selley, group business development director at AFI Uplift, has taken over as IPAF’s president, replacing Andy Studdert of NES Rentals who has completed his two-year period of office.

Speaking at the IPAF AGM in London before the Summit conference and IAPA awards dinner, Mr Selley paid tribute to Mr Studdert for his “excellent stewardship of IPAF and in particular for his contribution to the launch of the IPAF online training programme.”

Mr Selley highlighted a number of priorities for his own presidency, with safety being one of them. He said IPAF needed to do more than just training; “we do need to be more involved in other areas and to be more proactive in raising industry standards. We don’t just want to report accident statistics – we also need to develop further initiatives to reduce them.”

He said IPAF should take a strong stance on members who do not always adhere to the required safety standards; “Safety is paramount and our members need to believe in these values. Frankly, if people can’t accept the need to adhere to safety standards they shouldn’t be part of IPAF. “

Mr Selley said IPAF should become more active in promoting the powdered access industry to young people; “They are the leaders of tomorrow, and during my Presidency I will be strongly promoting the need for our members to further develop their apprenticeship programmes…IPAF needs to increase the industry’s profile to encourage more young people to come on board.”

Tim Whiteman, IPAF’s CEO, thanked outgoing president Andy Studdert for his contribution to the organisation during his two year presidency; “It has been a challenge and a pleasure  to work with you…you have left your mark on the organisation in a very positive way.”

Mr Studdert will remain on the IPAF board as immediate past president. Coincidentally, as he was stepping down as IPAF president he was also relinquishing his role as CEO at NES Rentals, following its acquisition by United Rentals. The acquisition was completed the day before the IPAF AGM and Summit.

More than 340 delegate are registered for the Summit conference, and 450 people will attend the IAPA awards dinner in the evening.

The theme of this year's Summit is Safety by Leadership, and the speakers and topics are:

• John Garrison, President & Chief Executive Officer, Terex Corporation: Safety Leadership, "Moving from Compliance to Commitment".
• Steve Radcliffe, Managing Director, Clugston Construction: Working with the Supply Chain to improve MEWP Safety Standards.
• Yanna Zhang, Chairwoman, China Construction Industry Association’s Rental Branch: MEWPs at the developing stage.
• Matthew Elvin, CEO, Xtreme Manufacturing & Snorkel: If it doesn’t look right, it’s not right.
• Jim Senior, Health and Safety Director, Multiplex Construction Europe: MEWP use in the construction of the New Wembley Stadium.
• Leigh Sparrow, Publisher, Vertikal Press: The UK powered access market
• Giles Council, Director of Operations, IPAF: From Argentina to Zambia - IPAF offers the same training developments globally.
• Chris Wraith, Technical & Safety Executive, IPAF: Why operator training is only one piece of the safe-use jigsaw.
• Romina Vanzi, Regional Development Manager and MCWP Department Manager, IPAF: Cultural perceptions that block safety improvements.
• Raymond Wat, South East Asia Regional General Manager, IPAF: Promoting safety in South East Asia.

Master of ceremonies:

Morning session: Euan Youdale, Editor, Access International         

Afternoon session: Tim Whiteman, CEO, IPAF

For more information see www.iapa-summit.info