SNIPEF appoints new chief executive

Fiona Hodgson has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF).

Formerly SNIPEF head of finance and membership services, Mrs Fiona Hodgson succeeded outgoing chief executive Robert Burgon who retired from his post at Federation’s Annual General Meeting on 27 May.

Mr Burgon has worked for SNIPEF for 38 years. He joined the Federation as assistant industrial relations officer in 1978 following his graduation from Heriot Watt University. He went on to become director and secretary in 1988 and chief executive in 2011. Robert played a critical role in the conception and establishment of many of the plumbing industry’s leading bodies and schemes including BPEC, Sector Skills Councils, Summit Skills and WaterSafe.

Robert has represented SNIPEF and the plumbing industry at international level through his involvement in the European organisation for plumbing and heating contractors and his work with the World Plumbing Council, where he was appointed to the executive board and became chair in 2011. He was instrumental in the setup of World Plumbing Day and was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers in 2004 where he is currently serving as Renter Warden.

Mrs Hodgson is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience. She was born and educated in Dundee and after gaining a degree in Accountancy at Dundee University trained as a Chartered Accountant in Edinburgh with Deloitte where she worked in non-profit, public and private enterprises.

Fiona joined SNIPEF in 1995 as finance and administration manager and in 2014 her role expanded into Membership Services.

Fiona said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as chief executive and am determined to strengthen and build upon SNIPEF’s reputation, working with members to address the challenges currently facing this industry.”