Emily Walker, Technical Service Engineer UK & Ireland at Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals Ltd, has been elected as Chair of the Board for the Property Care Association (PCA).

The first woman to take the helm since the foundation of the Association 95 years ago, Emily plans to further the PCA’s role in fostering communication, collaboration and connection between members and PCA’s staff team and Board.

She takes over from Ben Hickman of CLW Consulting who will remain on the Board for a further year as Past Chair.

Emily said: “The Board has set out a strategic plan for the coming term which is designed to ensure that the interests of members are at the heart of everything PCA does.”

“We’re looking to build on the phenomenal work of the training team who continue to deliver gold standard industry training across all sectors, as well as improve engagement and communication between the Board and members.”

Graham Bruce of Richardson & Starling has also been elected Deputy Chairman of the Board, with Adrian Dawson of Olympic Construction as Treasurer.

The new additions to the Board will work alongside fellow Board members Andrew Bradshaw of RTC, independent surveyor, David Stead, George Edwards of Timberwise, Hudson Lambert of Safeguard Europe Ltd, Lesley Vachre of Knotweed Services (UK) Ltd and Richard Schofield of Phlorum Ltd.

PCA Chief Executive, Sarah Garry, acts as Secretary to the Board and welcomed Emily as the PCA’s new Chair.

Sarah said: “Emily has been a valuable member of the PCA’s Board for several years and I look forward to working with her during her term as Chair.

“Women make up only 15% of the construction workforce and I hope that Emily’s position will help us to attract an increasingly diverse workforce to the sectors we represent.

“She has already set out her ambitions to create more opportunities for collaboration and forge connections across membership.”

Emily joined the waterproofing industry in 2015 and was elected to the PCA Board in 2020.

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