As Roger West prepares to pass on the baton to the incoming Secretary General, he takes a moment to glance back at his tenure with the British Vehicle Salvage Federation (BVSF). With a career spanning nearly four decades in the motor-related industry, Roger’s journey at the helm of the BVSF began in 2010, ushering in a period marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Being old, I can well remember a TV programme with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore whereby they sang a song together entitled “Now is the time to say Goodbye, Goodbye”. Well, to coin that phrase for me, that time has come. I won’t go into the reasons for my departure as this was explained at the AGM, but suffice it to say it is health-related.
I took the helm of the BVSF in 2010 (I think), having already spent almost 40 years in the motor-related industry.
The previous Secretary General/Chairman was Alan Greenough, whom I had known for most of my adult life. He and my father worked together within the insurance industry and remained close friends until Alan died suddenly early in his retirement.
From the start of my employment as Secretary General, I was fortunate enough to have the personal support of some great names from within the salvage industry at various times. I believe I should try to name them all in the hope that I don’t miss any!
Percy Snow, Steve Hankins, Jimmy Dent, Darren Combellack, Julie Mitchell, Angela Dronsfield, Geoff Bridges, Hamish Irvine, Allen Prebble, Jane Pocock, Chris Morgan, Tom Rumboll, John Schofield, Ian Hill, Jeff Hill, Tom Seward, Jason Cross, David Newbery, Keith Loeber, Alex Patterson, Joe March and Joe Singh (very sadly no longer with us). All of these people have, at some time or another, been present, and some are still part of the management committee of the Federation.
I have also combined forces occasionally with the MVDA, now the VRA, in the never-ending fight against unwanted interference by outside individuals and companies/bodies that I will not name. I would like to thank Chas Ambrose for his help and input. Chas’s knowledge of the permit and legislative side of vehicle dismantling is second to none, and he is a very interesting man to be in a discussion with.
I have what I hope is considered a good working relationship with Haydn and Sian at ATF Professional and would like to publicly congratulate them on their recent excellent event at the British Motor Museum.
So what am I going to do in retirement?
Well, I have rashly volunteered to be a consultant for the Federation if required for as long as my health holds and along with that, I will be spending time rebuilding ‘Connie’, my beloved 1955 Mk1 Ford Consul, so any parts you find when having a clear-out feel free to send my way!
Heather and I have booked a cruise in March next year, and thanks to the generosity of the management committee, we were presented with not one but two 4-day hotel breaks away, which we have booked for June and September next year.
So what am I taking with me?
A whole wealth of new knowledge was gained from meetings with the DVLA, the Insurers, Government departments, the EA, the Police and indeed the British Transport Police, plus many others I have missed.
On to who will take my place
Well, it is one of my sons. Graham takes over the reigns in January, and looks forward to working with and taking the Federation further than I could. Like me, he has spent most of his working life in the motor-related industry. To give him a bit of a kick start, I have almost completed the arrangements for next year’s AGM/Conference, which I would like to attend as a ‘Civilian’, and invitations will be going out to members and guests in early January. If you are reading this and would like to attend, please email Graham at email@bvsf.org.uk for an invitation. Also, and indeed very importantly, the original BVSF landline of 01303814325 will be discontinued at the end of this year for incoming calls, and the correct number to use to contact the Federation is 07976 395905.
Heather is continuing with the Federation’s accounts, at least for now, so the office address will remain the same.
I was asked the other day what the highlights were in my 12 years of service.
There were, of course, many, but one of the greatest, in my opinion, was ridding the world of the VIC Scheme. I was also very proud and indeed humbled by not only being presented with the Federation’s Combellack Award but also receiving the “Outstanding Individual” Award by ATF Professional, which I knew nothing about despite umpteen discussions between Haydn and Heather during the weeks leading up to the event.
So that is it; I start a new adventure at the end of the year. May I wish all my friends and colleagues that I have dealt with or helped over the years and indeed anyone who knows me a very Happy Christmas, a prosperous and Healthy New Year and many, many years of profitable business from this wonderful industry.
