In his first presidential address to members, Derek Bostock pledged to do everything possible to look after the needs and aspirations of members. He outlined his plans for his two years in office and thanked everyone who has supported him so far. Here is his speech in full:
I would like to thank you for allowing me the honour of becoming your National President, something I have been waiting for since I became a Vice President four years ago.
I must thank our outgoing President, Ron Storer, for his tremendous efforts over the last two years on behalf of this great Federation, despite it being one of the most difficult periods that our industry has faced for many years.
Ron has carried out his duties with complete commitment and with a love for this Federation. I hope that I am able to perform as well as he has, and at the end of my time, the incoming President will be able to say the same about me.
Ron takes everything in his stride and when he has had time to reflect, he makes his point in a way that is very well respected by everyone who has come into contact with him, his leadership qualities will be missed by us all.
Ron has been supported by his wife, Jean and on behalf of the Federation I would like to thank her for the work and commitment that she too has shown.
I would also like to thank Geoff Lister for his work and enthusiasm over the last few years, and wish him the best now that he has stepped down from the Presidential Team; to colleagues who have supported me and worked alongside me for many years at National level, and to David Croft, who was responsible for my elevation to the team in 2006, for his commitment to the Federation and to the EBC over many years.
Turning to the present, I congratulate Jim Gilmour on his second term as Vice President, and wish him all the best during this forthcoming very busy year when he will be taking over the Chair of both Managing Board, and National Council. I know he will make a great National President in a couple of year’s time.
I also congratulate Neal Etchells on becoming a Vice President during a year when his wife, Dolly, became the first lady President of London Region.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention my appreciation to all members who freely commit their time, expertise and energies in contributing to national, regional and branch committees, and to Richard Diment and all the FMB staff. Without their commitment, this Federation would not be where it is today.
Turning to my first year in office, firstly, I will do everything possible to look after the needs and aspirations of members, to make sure that they belong to the best construction federation in the United Kingdom, and despite the current difficulties facing the industry, make sure that we develop into a stronger and better organisation.
Secondly, I feel that there is a need for an umbrella organisation led by the FMB along with other organisations allied to the construction industry, who can work together sharing resources and expertise to become ‘the voice’ of the whole of the industry, rather than smaller individual federations all doing their own thing. I believe this will help reduce the financial burdens placed on each one, so that they will have the resources to carry out important tasks, which sometimes, because of a lack of finance, are put to one side. I will be working alongside the National Team towards this goal during my first year in office.
Susie and I pledge our total commitment, and look forward to meeting many more members of the family that make up this great Federation.
Finally, we wish you every success during the remainder of 2010 followed by an even more successful 2011.
