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Doctor David Fletcher CBE.
David Fletcher, the recently
retired and much respected Chief Executive of British Waterways, has accepted
the invitation from the Council of Management of W&BCT to become the Trust's
first* ever President.
Top award for David
Fletcher.
Dr. David Fletcher,
chief executive of British Waterways, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the
order of the
British Empire) in The Queen’s Birthday Honours in
recognition of his services to the UK’s inland waterways.
Since becoming chief
executive of British Waterways in 1996, Dave Fletcher has overseen an amazing
period of waterway restoration and regeneration in the UK. The once neglected waterways are now
being restored as fast as they were built during the Industrial Revolution
while, in the past decade, waterways have acted as a catalyst for some two
billion pounds of regeneration and have helped to create around 20,000 new jobs
in the UK’s towns, cities and rural areas.
The past year has been
a particularly busy one for Dave, with over 200 miles of restored and brand new
waterways opening to the public. Highlights include the re-opening of the
Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire and the restoration of canals from
Scotland
to the South of England, including The
Millennium Link, Huddersfield Narrow and Kennet & Avon canals. Later
this year, the first new navigation for a century will be opened in Lancashire: the Millennium Ribble Link
Dave Fletcher’s
lifelong interest in the waterways is no secret – he is a narrowboat owner and
he has cruised the majority of the UK’s navigable canals and rivers.
Dave Fletcher said:
“I am very proud to accept this great honour. It is a tribute to
British Waterways’ staff and the dedicated waterway enthusiasts throughout the UK
who have worked
so hard to transform our
waterways into a thriving place to live, work and relax. It has been a
privilege to work for British Waterways for the last six years and I am
confident that the restoration and regeneration of our inland waterways will
continue long after my retirement at the end of this year.”
*(Jack
Dalby was the first, and only, President of the Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity
Group).
Dave Fletcher is also a vice-president of the IWA.
Inland Waterways Association - Press Release
Date: 30th July 2002
Immediate Release
IWA APPOINTS NEW VICE PRESIDENT
The Inland Waterways Association
(‘IWA’) today announced the appointment of Dr David Fletcher CBE, the chief
executive of British Waterways, as a vice-president of the Association. The
decision to make the appointment was taken at the July meeting of IWA’s
Council. The appointment is with immediate effect, although Council’s
invitation was made in the light of Dave Fletcher’s forthcoming retirement as
chief executive of British Waterways. Dave Fletcher and his wife Mary have
also been appointed honorary life members of the Association.
Richard Drake, IWA National Chairman
said "The invitation to Dave Fletcher to become a vice-president of the
Association is an acknowledgement of Dave’s standing in the inland waterway
movement. This should be seen, not so much as a reward for past services, but
as an invitation to assist in the future. Dave will be joining a dedicated
group of vice-presidents who have used their experience and standing to
benefit the Association’s work, very often behind the scenes and unseen by
members. I know that Dave’s commitment to the inland waterways will remain as
strong as ever, notwithstanding his forthcoming retirement as chief executive
of British Waterways, and I am delighted that Dave has agreed to serve the
Association in its future endeavours."
Dave Fletcher said "The invitation to
become an IWA vice-president has a come as a complete surprise to me, although
I regard it as a great honour. My commitment to the inland waterways is
undiminished by my forthcoming retirement from British Waterways, so I shall
be pleased to help the Association in any way I can in the future."
Richard Drake added "Dave’s energetic
approach to getting things done has brought great vitality to the inland
waterways, and under his leadership British Waterways has been transformed. I
have no doubt that Dave will serve the Association well, and I believe history
will show Council’s appointment to be a wise one. We need powerful figures
with strong commitment, who are willing to be outspoken, if we are to rise to
the challenges and grasp the opportunities to make the waterways meet the
needs of the new millennium."
IWA vice-presidents are appointed by
Council to assist the Association in the furtherance of its aims and
objectives, either by their special knowledge of inland waterway matters, or
their standing within the inland waterways community. Vice-presidents may be
called upon to assist the national chairman and other officers, or to perform
duties such as chairing annual general meetings.
IWA’s other vice-presidents
are: David Blagrove, Chris Coburn, David Court OBE, Brian Dice OBE, Martin
Grundy, Illtyd Harrington, Brian Haskins, Dr David Hilling, Tony Hirst OBE,
James Hoseason OBE, John Humphries OBE, David Hutchings MBE, The Earl of
Shannon, Sonia Rolt, Audrey Smith OBE, Sir John Smith CBE and David Wain OBE.
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