ASFP appoints new Council

A new 12-strong Council has been appointed at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).

Following a successful election held in February-March in which 21 nominations were received, the new Council was announced at the Association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Drapers’ Hall, London on 11 April.

The Association’s Chair and Vice Chair retain their seats for another year, with the remaining 10 places now elected for two years. The Council includes representatives from each of the ASFP’s member categories of Contractor, Manufacturer, Distributor and Associate, as well as a representative from ASFP Ireland. This year, a place for a Principal Contractor member has been created to reflect the growth in membership in this category and ASFP’s increased engagement with this important sector of construction.

The new Council members are:

• Clive Miles (Chair) – Chair, CLM Fireproofing
• Sharon McClure (Vice Chair) – Director, Avesta Scotland Ltd
• Moe Elmasry – Technical Manager, Golden Thread Fire Delay
• Alan Curran – Fire Engineer / Technical Director, OFR Consultants
• Carrie Blackshaw – Fire Protection Sales Director, Minster
• Liam Keenan – Technical & Managing Director, Compliance + Fire Limited
• Carl Burrell – Regional Market Director, Sherwin–Williams
• Jamie O’Hagan – CEO, Structural Fireproofing Systems
• Matthew Jones – Head of Fire Protection and HVAC, ROCKWOOL International
• Ian Outram – Firestopping Technology Manager, CPG UK
• Will Pitt – Technical Leader – MEICA Specialist Systems, Laing O’Rourke
• John O’Callaghan – Managing Director, Complete Coating Services

The AGM offered all attending ASFP members their first opportunity to meet the new Council. They also received updates from ASFP officers on Association activities during 2023 and the its future plans, with the ASFP’s vision introduced by ASFP Vice Chair Sharon McClure.

ASFP Managing Director Mike Ward provided an update on ASFP operations, highlighting the successful purchase, fit-out and occupation of the ASFP’s new office and training academy in Coventry. He also detailed key activities in further developing the ASFP Competency Pathway, as well as launching new training courses and membership groups, and developing new industry collaborations. ASFP Membership Officer Tony Corcoran explained that interest in ASFP membership remained high, with over 57 new members joining since June 2023. He noted that the growth in membership is across the full supply chain from Principal Contractors and architects through to fire risk assessors and facilities managers.

ASFP Head of Technical Dr Andrew Taylor reviewed the technical landscape providing an update on the latest legislative requirements and highlighting ASFP’s role in developing standards and industry guidance. He detailed how the Association’s technical work assisted with the development of the Competency Pathway. The ASFP’s Competency Specialist Kate Milford provided an overview of progress with the Pathway, explaining that work would continue throughout 2024 to address both individual competence and organisational capability, while also continuing to look for opportunities to show leadership and collaborate with like-minded organisations and individuals across the built environment.

The formal event was brought to a close with a keynote address from Chandru Dissanayeke of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), who provided a detailed update of Government and regulatory progress and took questions from the floor. The meeting was followed by a lunch, allowing attendees to network with ASFP members, officers and staff and other industry leaders.