Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

Service

Future Leaders Cohort 6

Dave Martin and Dave Godfrey

Dave Godfrey and Dr Martin Haigh MBE

For some, ‘in Service’ might be a phrase they only recognise from say an ancestor’s trade, and carries something of a stigma.  I couldn’t disagree more. 

Done properly, courteous and effective service – and doing the very best you can with the resources available - is something to take great pride in, and to be celebrated.  And its meaning goes way beyond simple waiting on tables or cleaning hotel rooms. 

Service is an extremely wide spectrum of activities, and in my line of business it can range from delivering the association’s own smorgasbord of services, to the career-long contribution of individuals, to the endogenous development of one’s own self.  

At our recent Annual Meeting I was able to play a very minor role in recognising service in the latter categories. 

Firstly, to a stalwart of the valve industry who has given years of service for the greater good of others.  We recognised retiree Dave Martin for his many decades in the industry, for his contributions to standardisation and the development of the state of the art of controls valves, and latterly, to his complete devotion to imparting his knowledge to others via our valve training programme.  He will be sorely missed from all our activities. 

Secondly, to fellow retiree Dr Martin Haigh MBE, the creator and driving force behind our Future Leaders Programme that has proven so successful over six cohorts, and released into the industry over 60 young people who are trained, prepared and ready for the very highest levels of leadership. 

Our last recognition however must go to the Future Leaders.  The best service they have done for themselves was by simply saying ‘Yes’ to participation, and by opening their hearts and minds to this unique personal development experience.  Martin and I have had the pleasure of watching these wonderful people grow and develop, winning friends wherever they go.  Martin recently described Future Leaders as the best experience he’s had in his career and I heartly agree with him.  Thank-you all for your service!

Published: 6th December 2023