CPA Bulletin

16 CPA Bulletin > May 2023 www.cpa.uk.net Q&A WITH STU MCINROY: 1 Q&A WITH STU MCInROY CPA Bulletin caught up with Stu to find out a little more about him and what he hopes to bring to the CPA. Tell us a little about your background I graduated from Edge Hill College (now university!) in 1988 and began Initial Officer Training at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in the September of that year. By 1991 I’d qualified as a Navigator (think Goose from the original Top Gun - it’s close enough) and by the time I decided to leave the RAF in 2009, had operational tours on fast jet, airborne warning and control and remotely piloted aircraft systems. In between the flying tours I undertook a variety of staff (desk) roles including the Ministry of Defence, RAF Headquarters High Wycombe and as an Instructor at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. How did you get into working for trade associations? My last role in the RAF was within the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London. It is a competitive arena, staffed by highly competent individuals. You need to be able to make a case for whatever policy or funding scenario you hope to have agreed - fight for it, and hopefully, win. I am by nature a very competitive individual and by extension - I like to win - so it was a perfect fit for me. A role in representation was therefore the natural progression and utilised the skills honed whilst at the MoD - representing a body or group of people in a competitive environment - it translates perfectly into member/trade bodies and organisations. My first role was as General Secretary to the Bookmakers Committee, a non-departmental public body parented by DCMS, which every year attempted to agree the levy to be paid by bookmakers each year to support horseracing. I then did a short stint at the National Pawnbrokers Association and joined the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) as its Chief Executive in 2018. What attracted you to the role of Chief Executive at the CPA? Significant crossover exists in relation to my experience and the CPA Chief Executive role; the principles, processes and personal qualities required, construction, training and certification, engagement with and support to stakeholders, relationship management, strategic policy/planning and leading/managing employees. I believe I have the experience and skill set to maximise the CPA’s ability to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The CPA is a bigger entity than the RSMA, it has more members and greater challenges - fighting for the interests of CPA members shall provide me significant professional satisfaction and stimulation. What are you most looking forward to about joining the CPA? I enjoy learning new things, it invigorates me, drives me forward. I have the skill set and perhaps more importantly the desire to represent CPA members in a variety of fora but, ultimately it goes back to my competitive nature and winning. The CPA exists for one reason and one reason only, to serve its members and, when required to, compete on their behalf and win. What will you bring to the CPA? A ‘fresh pair of eyes‘, hard work, drive and a desire to be the best and get the best for CPA members. A willingness to question why things are done a particular way and could they be done differently to better meet the needs of members. I do not believe in change for the sake of change but if my experience leads to change that will ultimately benefit members I’m not afraid to implement it - it’s not in my nature to ‘kick the can down the road’. What do you think presents the biggest opportunity for the CPA and its members in 2023? Like any other Chief Executive coming into a new role, it’ll be an opportunity to review and if required, reset or reshape how the CPA goes about its business to best represent its members. I can’t stress enough that the CPA exists only to serve, promote and protect the interests of its members - the CPA should strive constantly to do more - and if we can, we must. In the coming months Stu McInroy will be joining the CPA as our new Chief Executive. Stu has been Chief Executive of the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) since 2018 and he will be replacing outgoing CPA Chief Executive Kevin Minton, who announced his retirement in August 2022. To ensure there is no interruption in our service to members, Kevin will work alongside Stu for a period of time to allow a smooth handover.