ASFP makes Niall Rowan chief operations officer in shake-up of key roles

Niall Rowan, the ASFP’s new COO

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced the appointment of Niall Rowan as its new chief operations officer.

Currently the ASFP’s technical officer Rowan will retain overall responsibility for technical policy and strategy as well as taking on many duties undertaken by outgoing CEO Wilf Butcher.

The appointment is the most eye-catching change in a shake-up among key figures in the ASFP, set to take effect from 1 January 2017.

Agreed following a meeting of the ASFP management council, the revamped structure will see several ASFP officers assume new roles:

• Anna Hayes will take on greater responsibilities around developing and implementing a marketing and communications strategy
• ASFP membership officer Tony Corcoran will now provide enhanced member-focused support, including members’ forums, an increase in CPD programmes and improvements to communication with the membership
• Outgoing CEO Wilf Butcher takes on a new position as training development officer, responsible for developing a training strategy and framework. Training will range from awareness training to an academic qualification in passive fire protection
• David O’Reilly will continue as operations officer for ASFP Ireland

The Association is recruiting a new part-time technical officer to take on most of Niall Rowan’s existing workload, including the running of the ASFP’s technical committee and task groups and responsibility for technical publications. Find out how to apply here.

“I am honoured to take on the new role of chief operations officer,” said Niall Rowan. “Interest in the ASFP and its work has never been so high and I intend to build on this momentum to cement its position as the preeminent trade association in the passive fire protection area.

“I would like to thank Wilf for the tremendous job he has done in bringing the association to where we are today and look forward to working with him in the further development of the ASFP’s training activities.”

Said Wilf Butcher: “Niall and I have worked closely together for a number of years and I am delighted that he is now taking on the role of COO.  I wish Niall and the rest of the team every success for the future and look forward to seeing the association grow from strength to strength in the years to come.”

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