Page 5 - CSA INDEX - Spring Summer 2021

Chairman's

Say

t is with great affection for the CSA and all of its working parts, I say farewell with immense gratitude, I am stepping down
Ias Chairman after three fantastic years of service.

I hope that the incoming Chair, Neil Burdess, will accept the role with as much enthusiasm and diligence as I have enjoyed
putting in to the association over that time. I shall miss working closely with Julie, Jo, and Tracy, and every other member
of staff, and colleagues who have played a peripatetic role in the organisation with me. Thank you, all.

The past year and a half has been the single most challenging time we at the CSA and indeed, every company has faced in
our history. The spectre of Covid still ever present on the horizon will make navigating the future tricky but I have no doubt
that the team will continue on to make a success of the future of our highly regarded association. Neil of Banyards will take
over at the next awards and AGM ceremony in November this year and it is with great thanks to them that I extend my
absolute gratitude and good luck. I have very much enjoyed my time working with the CSA to improve and innovate and I
know that it will continue to do so under the watch of Mr Burdess.

The Covid situation has proven to be the biggest disruption to the way we have always worked and has not only provided
enormous problems but as I always say, a problem is an opportunity to evolve and do things better. I feel that many
of working practices have been adapted for the better; working remotely from home was something nobody would
ever have accepted before due to the messy logistics but we have proved that this was not nearly as hard as previously
imagined. So many staff have maintained their output and even increased their productivity under this modality. The
need for isolations, ‘pings’, and social distancing have been barely manageable in the beginning but those colleagues
who have had to adapt have done so admirably with creativity and conscientiousness. As we forge a ‘new normal’
under new restrictions and guidelines, I believe that the transformation of the work environment is for the better for
all. Zoom and Teams have replaced face to face meetings and are frequently more expedient which is something I am
sure will stay in place. Logistical glitches will continue to be smoothed out as we keep innovating and creating our new
and better future.

I am aware that the majority of staff across the board have been vaccinated and take the PPE situation seriously which all
helps to seriously diminish the risk of acquiring the virus, creating mutations, and infecting others. I commend you all for
this as it has been annoying at best and prohibitive at worse but you have acted admirably to maintain safety and hygiene
at work. It is with a somber heart that I take stock of those who we have lost; colleagues, friends, and family, and my
condolences go out to those people who have suffered. Please, if you have yet to receive the vaccine and are eligible to do
so, go and book your jab now and help protect yourself and others.

In my final few months as Chairman I am still 100% available to all who need me in terms of CSA work and advice. I fully
intend to work to the very end of my tenure in this position and strive to put in place any measures that improve our
working environment and personal wellbeing. Please do not hesitate to bring to my attention any difficulties you may
encounter and we can work them out together, Also please feel free to contact me for anything else you may need; my
door is always open to new ideas and better practices for our industry. Together we can implement them and pass the
torch to the new iteration of the CSA which will go from strength to strength with Neil at the helm.

Finally, before I hand over to the new man in charge, I’d like to thank the CSA staff and all of our members, colleagues, and
collaborators whole heartedly for their stalwart work and support. May we raise a glass in toast to everyone involved and
to Neil Burdess for the future of our great organisation.
Cheers.

Mark Todd – CSA Chairman & Director of Ashford Environmental Services Ltd