29.05.2008

New head for the LEEA

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has appointed Geoff Holden as its chief executive designate.

Current chief executive Derrick Bailes, will step down from the post in December after 30 years service with the association, although he will continue to work for the LEEA on a part-time basis, in a number of other roles.
Please register to see all images

Geoff Holden

Holden has worked in the overhead lifting industry since 1976 and joins the LEEA from Spanset UK, where he was sales manager for height safety products. A metallurgist by education, his professional experience spans a range of senior research, sales, and business management roles, in companies that include Certex, Liftex and Bridon Ropes.

Commenting on his new role, he said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing to grow the association nationally and internationally and building upon the excellent work done by Derrick”.

Bailes added: “Geoff will bring a wealth of relevant technical and commercial expertise to the role. Over recent years our membership has grown significantly, along with the range of services and support that we can provide. The LEEA is fast becoming a truly global organisation and I have no doubt that Geoff’s arrival will only serve to build on these positive trends.”

The LEEA was founded in 1944 and represents 273 members, covering over 500 locations worldwide.

Based at a training centre and head office in Huntingdon, the LEEA publishes codes of practice for the safe use of lifting equipment and offers members a wide range of other services including ‘hands-on’ training, a long-established distance learning course designed to prepare students for the association’s industry-recognised Diploma qualification, and is closely involved in the preparation of legislation and British, European and International Standards.