The National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) held their AGM on 18 February when long-standing chairman, Barrie Sheard, announced he was standing down. The AGM was held at the NPTA offices in Kinoulton, Notts.
Opening proceedings chairman Barrie Sheard welcomed all those present and then announced this was to be the last AGM he would chair. After seven years in post he had decided the time had come for him to stand down. Who will succeed Barrie has yet to be decided.
| In his address, Barrie outlined the key achievements for the Association for the year-ended 31 March 2008. In particular he picked out the increase in membership numbers up to a current total approaching 800. Other highlights included an even bigger and better PestTech event, production of the NPTA magazine, Today’s Technician, entirely in-house, a much improved and easy to navigate website, another successful Scottish training day, the launch of additional specialist training courses as well as an ever increasing range of membership benefits. As this event had come so soon after the publication of the 2007/8 National Rodent Survey it was naturally much discussed. Having shown a considerable rise in rodent reportings there had been significant media attention. NPTA publicity officer, Peter Crowden, appeared for the report launch on the BBC Countryfile programme on 8 February, as well as subsequently appearing on the BBC 1 News at One the following day. Peter was unable to attend the AGM as he was in London about to undertake yet another interview. Financially the Association fared well, and for the first time in its history recorded a small profit of just over £8k on the annual turnover of £106k. Barrie congratulated the NPTA staff as he felt this positive financial outcome was a result of careful housekeeping throughout the year. |
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Barrie Sheard announces he is standing down as NPTA chairman