‘Future Leader’ Co-opted to Valve Industry Board

Published: 26th April 2019 | Issue 48 Share article:

The British Valve and Actuator Association (BVAA) has co-opted Dave Godfrey (34) from actuator specialist Rotork PLC to its board of directors.

Godfrey will represent the ongoing interests of the BVAA’s Future Leaders Programme, acting as a conduit between the industry’s established leaders and rising stars. As one of the alumni from the inaugural programme in 2016, he is well-connected with current and previous participants.

Working closely with the BVAA’s Director & CEO Rob Bartlett and Chairman Colin Findlay, Godfrey will help ensure the programme continues advancing the interests of the industry. His first task is to assist in the selection of delegates for this year’s cohort, in collaboration with Bartlett, Findlay and personal development consultant Dr Martin Haigh MBE.

Rob Bartlett says co-opting Godfrey to the board underlines the strength of the BVAA’s commitment to young professionals and the long-term health of the industry.

“Dave is the epitome of a future leader, with an excellent career path to date,” Bartlett explains. “As an industry body, we made the strategic decision to invest in young people who exhibit leadership potential, helping them step-up to new challenges at an earlier stage in their careers. But it’s important that we listen to the needs of young people as well as their employers. Co-opting Dave to the board enables him to give voice to the expectations and requirements of future leaders on a platform that tends to be dominated by people further on in their careers.”

The BVAA Future Leaders Programme was launched in 2016 to address the leadership skills gap facing British valve and actuator firms.

Its objective is to act as a catalyst, accelerating the career development of promising young people through a year-long programme of training, networking and personal development. Upon completion of the programme, delegates are encouraged to act as mentors to the incoming cohort and keep in touch with their peers to continue cultivating an ever-expanding network of valuable industry contacts.

“I’m proud to represent the Future Leaders Programme on the BVAA Board,” says Godfrey. “It’s an innovative and effective scheme that delivers excellent outcomes for all the individuals and businesses involved. The Future Leaders Programme will help ensure the industry remains strong, healthy and resilient, and it’s great to play a part in making that happen.”

The BVAA has represented the British valve and actuator industry for 80 years, and has around 200 members ranging from specialist SMEs to global engineering firms.

The industry is a major STEM employer in the UK: 9,000 people are directly employed by valve and actuator businesses, and the industry contributes £3bn to the UK economy each year.

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