SPASA Australia creates manager position

The Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA Australia) has appointed a new chief executive officer and created a separate position of national manager.

Current SPASA Victoria CEO Brendan Watkins will now also be the CEO of SPASA Australia while David Syme has been appointed national manager.

Watkins says he is very happy to assume the CEO roles at both Victoria and the national body, and says that Syme is already up and running in his role as national manager.

“David has a long and successful background in accreditation and Standards,” says Watkins. “In recent times, he has been running his own consultancy in this field. Previously he was the Regional Manager – India for Joint Accreditation System of Australia & New Zealand, the international body that accredits the various certification bodies in this region against national and international standards.”

Watkins says that Syme is one of only two auditors for the Accreditation Board for Standards Development Organisations (ABSDO) who assess Standards-writing bodies – including Standards Australia.

“This eye for detail will assist SPASA Australia in preparing submissions of the highest quality,” says Waktins. “His unique combination of skills and experience were critical in the selection process. In recruiting someone from outside the industry, the Board were looking for an impartial approach to this key role, which focuses on national members.”

Syme also has a Masters degree in Engineering which Watkins says will enhance the technical support provided to the national members.

Watkins says that while Syme will operate out of the SPASA Victoria office, he will work closely with all four SPASA associations.

Syme says it is a pleasure to be entrusted with the new key role.

“Our industry faces many challenges including: OHS harmonisation, proposed changes to the National Construction Code 2014, ongoing global financial pressures, DRED (Demand Response Enabling Devices), chemicals of security concern and energy efficiency to name a few. As we work more closely together we can realise better outcomes for all our members.”

He says he looks forward to complementing the work of Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia by better understanding the specific needs of the national members, and will be spending time with each of the organisations and members over the coming year.

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