At its 2020 AGM, the British Pest Control Association awarded three BPCA life memberships to Frances McKim, Helen Riby and Dr Jonathan Wade.
Frances and Helen co-founded Pest magazine in 2008 and, until its recent sale to Lewis Business Media, were the title’s writers, editors and publishers.
Frances also served as chair of the manufacturers & distributors committee, on the BPCA Board and is a former president of the association.
Dr Jonathan Wade has had a distinguished career in the global pest control industry, which began when he obtained a first degree in Zoology and was awarded a PhD from the Liverpool School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for work on vector mosquitoes
Since then, Jonathan has spent time advising the Libyan Government, heading a pest control team in Dubai and has been awarded an honorary Lectureship at the Liverpool School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He also worked at Zeneca Public Health and, most recently before his retirement, at PelGar International.
Frances said: “I’d like to say it came as a bit of a surprise, being asked to be a life member of BPCA, as in many respects I feel like it’s been part of my life for a long time already. I’ve been involved with the industry for over 40 years on and off, which includes being president of BPCA in 1982/83, so it’s been a long journey.”
Helen added: “I’ve always been very proud of what Frances and I have done with Pest magazine, but to have my part of it recognised by the whole industry, it was really touching.”
Jonathan also expressed his thanks to BPCA, saying: “Like the other nominees I was surprised, delighted and extremely honoured to receive this nomination.”
BPCA president Phil Halpin said these awards aren’t nominated lightly and that the association’s board votes to accept the life members.
He added: “These are three very well-deserved life memberships, the contributions made by the nominees to the pest industry are enormous, and we’re delighted to be in a position to highlight that and reward them.”