HIRE Association Europe’s (HAE) restructuring of business operations is expected to improve the specialised tools, plant and event hire sector as a whole, according to the organisation’s new executive director certification services.
Carl Bartlett joined the Birmingham-based trade association group in 1989, and has since worked his way up through the ranks. As part of the reshuffle, Graham Arundell has stepped down as managing director in order to begin a part-time role as CEO, and Rupert Douglas-Jones is to become executive director member services.
Having been made part of Hire Association Europe Limited’s health and safety board in 2015, Bartlett is expected to raise awareness to the benefits of safety initiatives such as the SafeHire Certification scheme, as well as work to achieve accreditation to the benchmark of Common Assessment Standards (CAS).
CAS was introduced by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association to tackle the inefficiencies that are costing the construction industry up to £1 billion a year by reducing duplication, time and cost which resonates with HAE’s desire to help its members achieve, whilst minimising their need to complete paperwork and documentation.
Carl Bartlett said, “As the standards of safety within the Hire Industry continue to improve this reflects on both legislative requirements and the commitment of members to the SafeHire scheme, promoting high standards will no doubt lead to a reduction in time spent completing sections of tenders, approved supplier documents, pre-qualification questionnaires and SSIP documents.”
As well as the hierarchy reshuffle, SafeHire and other certification schemes will be split from Membership Services to allow members to receive an even more focused provision. HAE envisages that the structure is now in place to drive the organisation forward in the years ahead.
Graham Arundell said, “Challenges in the industry still appear to be dominated by recruitment of experienced or suitably skilled personnel. In recognition of this HAE continues to expand the training portfolio to support the needs of members.”
