CHRIS BALL TAKES OVER AS LADDER ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN

CHRIS BALL, 49, is the new chairman of the Ladder Association, the trade body for ladders and stepladders in the UK and Ireland. He takes over from Don Aers, technical manager at the Youngman Group, and will serve for three years.

Mr Ball is managing director of Abru Limited, the UK’s largest manufacturer of ladders, a post he has held since March 2003. Before that he worked for the Spire Group as managing director of two of the group companies, where he gained experience in the housewares, hardware and furniture manufacturing sectors.

He was previously employed as MD of a subsidiary of MS International which he merged with a major competitor before taking the business to a dominant position in Europe.

The new chairman of the Ladder Association has a degree in civil and structural engineering from Bradford University, is a chartered engineer and holds a masters in business administration.

He is also a non-executive director of the British Home Enhancement Trades Association (BHETA) which he represents on European committees with a view to developing harmonised access equipment standards.

Comments Mr Ball: “The Ladder Association has made great strides in recent years and is now the recognised focus and authority for the industry. I aim to carry on that good work by promoting the use of ladders and the need for professional training to encourage safety and best practice.”

“If it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely. That’s the message I will be delivering, alongside the need for employers to insist on the association’s LadderCard as definitive proof of competence.”

Note for Editor: 

The Ladder Association, formerly the British Ladder Manufacturers’ Association (BLMA), is the only trade body dedicated to providing ladder users with the information and skills they need to use ladders and stepladders safely and productively.

A leading member of the 9-member Access Industry Forum (AIF), it works in collaboration with manufacturers, policy makers and key influencers, including the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). It uses the collective experience and expertise of its many members to fulfil a number of distinct roles.

Principal amongst these is (a) as a knowledge base and resource centre and (b) as a provider of formal training and skills through its nationwide network of approved training centres.

The association actively supports the HSE’s 2009 Ladder Exchange. More details at www.ladderassociation.org.uk