CPA Bulletin

38 CPA Bulletin > August 2021 www.cpa.uk.net focus on Special interest groups SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS: 2 Following on from our new feature on the CPA’s Special Interest Groups launched in the last issue of the CPA Bulletin, it’s time to shine the spotlight on the Construction Hoist Interest Group, otherwise known as CHIG. CHIG is chaired by Kirsty Archbold-Laming, Director of Southern Hoist Services (SHS), who has a long association with both CHIG and the CPA as a whole. In fact, Kirsty’s first involvement dates back to 25 years ago when Southern Hoist Services, along with several other hire companies and hoist suppliers, helped found the Construction Hoist Interest Group. As well as being Chair of CHIG, Kirsty is also now on the CPA Council as the South West representative. Kirsty told us: “CHIG was formed in 1996 from a need to address changes to regulations which many companies were unaware of at the time, and CPA kindly offered to take our group of around 15 people on board to keep CPA members informed and assist the group in liaising with authorities such as the HSE and BSI, whilst providing general assistance on any matters relating to hoists.” At the time, Kirsty was not directly involved in the CHIG meetings, as they were attended by Terry Barton, owner of Southern Hoist Services and Kirsty’s mentor. Kirsty was in the background, learning and helping with suggestions, until 2004 when she adopted a more direct role due to the sad passing of Terry and the sale of SHS to Claude Fenton (Plant Hire) Ltd. She said: “I remember my first CHIG meeting well. I was the only lady in a room of men, some of whom I knew but had never met in person. It was quite easy for everyone to know who I was without even introducing myself!” Kirsty had never envisaged herself joining the construction industry - in fact she aspired to be a lawyer, hairdresser or a rock star! She first joined Southern Hoist Services in 1993 as a part- time office junior. At the time, the company was just two months old and she saw the position as a stop gap until she worked out what she really wanted to do. One lesson of A-Level Law made her realise she perhaps wasn’t cut out for a career in law, and she decided to apply for an apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer working on helicopters. The only female to apply, she passed the initial assessment with flying colours but the interview didn’t go so well, so she continued with her role at Southern Hoist Services. Kirsty quickly moved to a full-time position and as a small company, she was often alone in the office. When a customer needed an urgent quote, she didn’t know much about hoists at the time but she gave it a go and made an impression. The rest is history and Kirsty tells us she has never looked back since. She told us: “It’s a great industry to work in and I have learnt so much from different people over the years. In terms of my career path, it’s a twist of fate that I’m thankful for. I was elected as CHIG Vice Chair to Chair Gordon Gedling in 2012. This was an honour and a shock at the same time. I felt that following in Gordon’s footsteps would be a mammoth task as he had been Chair of the group since the very first meeting back in 1996. “I had serious doubts about whether I could take on the role as what did I know about erecting hoists? The main committee members - all men - had physical experience throughout their long careers of installing hoists, carrying out maintenance, examinations and training. Whereas I don’t even like heights!