HVCA chief executive Robert Higgs announces retirement
Robert Higgs, chief executive of the Heating & Ventilating Contractors’ Association has announced his intention to retire after 38 years’ service. He will be 65 in May and plans to stand down at the annual general meeting of the association in July 2011. A process is in hand to appoint his successor.
He has been a member of the HVCA executive staff since 1973 and was appointed its chief executive in July 1989. In 1992, he was the principal architect and first co-ordinating director of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group (SEC), which provides a single voice for engineering specialists in construction. In recent years, he has devoted significant effort to shaping and influencing UK policy on sustainability and climate change.
A lifelong champion of quality standards, he counts among his most significant achievements the introduction of independent inspection and assessment of the technical competence and commercial capability of all HVCA members.
Robert Higgs comments, ‘After nearly four decades with the association, and more than two as chief executive, I am convinced that it is time for me to begin the next phase of my life, although I am aware that it will be hard to say goodbye to the many friends I have made among the HVCA’s members and staff.
‘Not that my work is over quite yet. There remain some seven months and some key objectives to be achieved before I finally take my leave.’
He was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honour in recognition of his services to the HVACR industry and to the environment.
