Board of Trustees

Board of Trustee Members

Ernie McDonald – Chair of the Board of Trustees

Ernie’s whole career has been in water treatment supply initially industrial and since 1999 domestic markets. He was chairperson for the DWTA which developed and gained approval for the initial water treatment guidance adopted into ‘Building Regulations’.
Ernie has been involved with the CIPHE for many years through the Industrial Associates group.

Kevin Thomas – Honorary Treasurer

Kevin Thomas is Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. He is a director of Rickard Luckin and heads a team of 70 working with Small & Medium Enterprises in the South East. Kevin grew up in Leigh-on-sea before graduating with an honours degree in Mathematics. He is an active member of The Worshipful Company of Plumbers and in 2016/17 was Master of the Tax Advisers Livery Company.

Charles Brooks – Independent Trustee/Hon. Company Secretary

Charles is serving his second term as Independent Trustee after initially being elected to the Board in June 2022. He has years of experience in the legal profession, specialising in work for charities and not for profit organisations.

Peter Thom - Co-opted Independent Trustee

Peter was co-opted to the Board following the incorporation of IDHEE. He has considerable experience in the plumbing and heating industry, with a particular focus on the area of renewables.

Louchavan Lemard EngTech FCIPHE RP

Louchavan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and Co-Founder of PH247 Ltd, a compliance-first plumbing and heating company operating across London. He began his career as an apprentice and understands the realities facing engineers at every stage of the profession.

Geoff Westall EngTech MCIPHE RP

Geoff worked in the plumbing industry for over 50 years, and has served as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of CIPHE Lincolnshire Branch. National President 2017-18, Geoff dedicates time to supporting young people into plumbing and heating industry careers.

Neil Overton MCIPHE

Neil is Sales Director for Gledhill Building Products.  He started his career in plumbing & heating some 50 years ago, as an apprentice Gas Fitter at East Midlands Gas, before going on to work for many of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Melville Gumbs Eng Tech MCIPHE RP

Melville began his plumbing and heating career with an apprenticeship, progressing through advanced training in domestic and commercial gas work. He transitioned into education, gaining qualifications to teach and assess students in plumbing and gas works. While running his own plumbing company, he remained committed to teaching. A CIPHE member since his student days, he has served as Branch Chairman, Secretary, and National President for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jason Clark – Immediate Past President Observer

Since Jason’s apprenticeship he has undertaken many roles and gained a variety of experience in the plumbing, heating, engineering, construction, business, distribution, and charity sectors. He is passionate about promoting training and apprenticeships to a widest audience including students that are looking for an opportunity to, not only improve their own quality of life, but the lives of others.