Association for Specialist Fire Protection appoints Steve Davies as next CEO

A Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Davies brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership to the role, as well as technical and operational capabilities forged across a range of industry sectors. He’s a skilled Trade Association CEO with a strong track record of advancing and growing the reach and profile of such organisations, as well as developing and improving member support and services.

Davies joins the ASFP from the Lighting Industry Association where he served as CEO for over seven years. He led the organisation through a successful period of growth and development, including the establishment of a UKAS-accredited product testing laboratory and an industry-specific training academy.

Prior to this, Davies served as CEO of the newly-established National Skills Academy for Power with overall responsibility for its creation, growth and development. In addition, Davies spent time as CEO and commercial director at Make UK/EEF Ltd where he was responsible for the operational and strategic management of a regional association and its UK-wide commercial activity.

Substantial change

Speaking about his new appointment at the ASFP, Davies declared: “I’m excited to join the ASFP at such a pivotal point in its development. The Trade Association has gone through a period of substantial change and growth in recent years. I will build on its achievements and continue its transformation into a modern, professional and outward-reaching body that will represent the needs of its members and the industry long into the future.”

Davies added: “The ASFP has an enviable reputation as a leading authority on passive fire protection. While continuing to develop and improve the services and support offered to members, I will seek to raise the ASFP’s influence in the wider construction industry, ensuring that the competency and professionalism of the organisation and its members is recognised throughout the sector.”

In conclusion, Davies observed: “Further development of the ASFP’s highly successful technical and training offers will be key to its future growth. New frameworks for delivery will take these to the next phase and enable the ASFP to reach a broader audience, while at the same time advancing knowledge and guidance on all aspects of ‘built-in’ fire protection.”

Technical and regulatory affairs

Outgoing CEO Niall Rowan, who will continue to work for the ASFP with a focus on technical and regulatory affairs, stated: “It has been a great honour to lead the ASFP through a period of huge change in the fire and construction sectors and to steer its growth and development, including overseeing the launch of its highly successful Foundation course in Passive Fire Protection.”

Rowan went on to add: “I’m delighted to welcome Steve to the ASFP’s team and look forward to supporting him as he leads the organisation through this next phase of its development.”

The ASFP is the UK’s leading Trade Association for the passive fire protection sector. It was formed in 1975 in recognition of a need to bring together passive fire protection manufacturers, contractors and testing/certification bodies to encourage, develop and give guidance on essential standards in the discipline of passive fire protection.

The ASFP aims to advance knowledge and guidance on all aspects of ‘built-in’ fire protection, provide technical support and impartial advice, lead on regulatory and behavioural change as an independent authority and improve competence and quality through training.