Yorkshire Businessman to Head International Conference

Posted In: Press Releases . By dens

By: Jane Shepherd

Taking place in London, the conference will bring together painting and decorating industry members from across Europe.

Stephen, the fifth generation member of the Bagnall family at the head of the Shipley-based company, said: “This is the first time that UNIEP has held its General Assembly in Britain since 1972 and it is an honour to be involved in the event and to be contributing towards shaping our industry for the future.”

The General Assembly takes place at the International Coffee Organisation in the Capital – which has the necessary facilities for international events, including comprehensive conference and translation facilities.

Training, the environment and the welfare of small to medium businesses in the industry are all up for debate at the event.

Stephen’s position in UNIEP came from his involvement with the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA), the trade body representing painters and decorators across the UK, which is among the 15 national organisations from Europe and America that make up UNIEP. The PDA is hosting this year’s UNIEP conference.

Bagnalls - founded in 1875 - is a prominent member of the PDA. Stephen has represented the UK painting industry in UNIEP since 1991, following in the footsteps of his father, John, who is chairman of Bagnalls and has been involved in UNIEP since the 1980s.

Bagnalls has fourteen branch offices throughout the UK including Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London, together with its headquarters in Shipley. Within Yorkshire it also has offices in Leeds, Doncaster and York.

The UNIEP conference takes place on May 16, 2008.

Ends

Notes To Editors

UNIEP was established in 1953 and serves as a lobbying group which influences European legislation that impacts on the painting and decorating sector. Affiliated organisations are situated in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA and the United Kingdom.

The Painting and Decorating Association, which has its headquarters in Nuneaton, was established in July 2002, following a merger of the British Decorators’ Association and the Painting & Decorating Federation. The British Decorators’ Association was originally founded in 1894.
The PDA is Britain's largest trade body dedicated to the painting and decorating trade. Members include sole traders through to large-scale national contractors employing hundreds of operatives.
Decorators looking to become members of the PDA are rigorously vetted prior to admission. Members are committed to the highest standards in health and safety practice, as well as training development.
The PDA is proud of its long history and high standards, and a registered member can be relied upon to do a good professional job at a fair price.
Press Release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Limited.
Tel 01538 308685, mobile 07985 129315.
Email jane@shepherd-pr.com