Dr Coggins was appointed director of the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA) in July 1993, joining from Rentokil’s Timber Preserving Division where he was technical manager. He led the separation of BWPDA into two business divisions – Property Care and Wood Protection in 2003 and the conversion of these divisions into independent trade associations in 2006.
Dr Coggins stayed with WPA as its director of operations and became chairman in 2010, a position he held for eight years.
More recently, he has been responsible for the quality and wood protection standards promoted by WPA. His notable achievements include development of the WPA Benchmark Quality Schemes and influencing National Highways to accept an alternative route to the verification of treatment plant operator competency, which was announced last month.
“Chris’s contribution to the WPA is nothing short of remarkable,” said WPA chairman Steve Young. “On behalf of his fellow directors and the many members who have benefited from his exceptional knowledge and expertise over the years we wish him the very best for his retirement.”
Dr Coggins’s decision to retire has resulted in a reorganisation of WPA management team responsibilities:
Effective from January 1, 2025, Neil Ryan will assume Dr Coggins’s responsibility for quality and standards and Creosote at board level while Janet Sycamore will take on the role of secretary for the WPA Technical & Regulatory Affairs (T&RAC) and FR Committee, which was formerly performed by Dr Coggins.
Mr Ryan will pass on his role as chair of the Technical and Regulatory Affairs Committee to Matthew Powell, who is also responsible for WPA’s FR activities and chairman of the FR Committee.
As part of this reorganisation, Ms Sycamore is handing responsibility for WPA communications to Dominic Weaver, a new member of the team. Mr Weaver is a communications professional with 16 years’ experience working in the wood sector and commenced his contract with WPA on November 1. It is anticipated that he will play a key role in raising the profile of the WPA and the role of wood protection technology in helping to make the most of wood as a sustainable, low environmental impact material.
Ms Sycamore’s responsibilities will focus on her duties as financial controller, company secretary and membership support services in which capacity she is supported by Caroline Hewison.
Summing up the reorganisation Steve Young said: “Adding value to the businesses operated by our members is at the heart of WPA strategy and this reorganisation better positions our management team resources to make this happen.”
