Yorkshireman elected to key role at national trade body

A Yorkshire businessman has taken up a key role at a national trade body.

Stephen Bagnall, managing director at Bagnalls Group, has been elected chair of the management board at the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).

The appointment follows a landmark year for Bagnalls, which celebrated its 145th anniversary in 2020.

Stephen Bagnall has served on the management board since it was introduced to the PDA in 2019 to give a voice to the different levels of membership the Association serves.

Each of the elected members of the board represent different sizes of business within the industry, from owner-led businesses and small companies to multi-million pound contractors such as Bagnalls Group.

Stephen Bagnall takes over the role of Chair from managing director at Ian Williams Ltd, Andrew Havard.

Bagnalls Painting and Decorating was founded by Alfred Bagnall in 1875 at Shipley, after he was asked to paint the newly-constructed railway lattice girder bridge over the River Aire at Charlestown.

Today the business has evolved into the Bagnalls Group of Companies, with the head office still located in Shipley and a further 16 branches across the UK.

Stephen said: “I am delighted to accept the position of Chair of our management board for the coming year.

“In a year where many businesses will be looking to rebuild from the challenges presented by the epidemic, the board and I will continue to develop new services and benefits and will strive to deliver even greater value for money for professional painting and decorating enterprises in membership, whatever their size.”

The management board work alongside PDA Chief Executive Neil Ogilvie and his team, overseeing a range of activities including promoting opportunities for new members, attracting new recruits into the industry and building membership value.

Neil Ogilvie said: “I’d like to thank Andrew for the hard work and dedication he has put into his year as Chair of the management board.

“It is an important role at the PDA, requiring experience, integrity and in-depth knowledge of the industry, with the needs of our members at its heart.

“Stephen is well known and respected across the construction sector and beyond, with Bagnalls Group being a long-standing and much valued member of the Association.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome him as our new Chair for 2021/22.”