When I became Chairman of the LCA in 2005, Gerry Rodgers my predecessor warned me how quickly two years would fly by, but I didn’t appreciate then just how right he was. I cannot believe that in June 2007 I will be stepping down as Chairman, although I take some comfort that throughout my term I have been working very closely with my Deputy, David Martin, which should make for a seamless transition.

I stated in last year’s Directory that I was determined to achieve some progress for the hard metals section of the LCA. In fact the developments in this area have progressed so rapidly that the Council felt it was time for this particular sector to stand on its own two feet, rather than continue as part of the LCA. We have therefore welcomed the formation of the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors as an independently funded and administered trade association and we wish its members and associates well as they seek to establish their new identity. We take some pride in that the new organisation is supported by many contractors that are also LCA members and who appear to want a trade association representing their other metal roofing interests run according to the same quality standards principals that are valued by the LCA and its membership.

I have also welcomed our approval in December 2006 as a TrustMark Scheme Operator as further recognition of our quality standards ethic. TrustMark is rapidly gaining momentum as a prime point of reference for the property owner seeking competent tradespeople and I would encourage all LCA members to make full use of the TrustMark logo they are now entitled to display.

There continue to be concerns in the lead roofing sector of construction, not least the escalating metal prices that encourage the short sighted specifier to turn to cheaper alternative roofing options. Whilst the pricing vagaries of the London Metal Exchange and the base metal producers remain out of our control, we trust the architect and designer in the UK will never lose sight of the outstanding long term value for money option that is consistently provided by lead sheet.

A totally recyclable maintenance-free lead sheet roof fitted by quality conscious professional craftsmen that guarantee the quality of their work, provides the opportunity for construction industry architects to leave a legacy of their design awareness and environmental foresight for generations to come that should never be underestimated and certainly never undervalued.

I, in my remaining time as Chairman, together with my fellow Council Members, will never forsake the quality standards principals of the Lead Contractors Association and their membership and we will never give up in our efforts to convince others of the simple common sense in using lead sheet fitted by an LCA member for unrivalled long term performance and unbeatable value for money.

Chris Salmon - Chairman