Chief executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) Paul Boss has announced that he is stepping down after four years at the helm and is set to retire from the sector.
Mike Hansford (pictured bottom) will be taking over from Mr Boss (pictured top) and will leave his current position as highway asset manager at Dorset Council to start his new role on August 29.
In a letter to members, Mr Boss said: 'After nearly 4 years in which I believe the association has achieved a great deal and is in a far better place than it was then, particularly with the implementation of the 2022 – 2024 Strategy, I have decided not to continue with developing and implementing the next strategy, effectively indirectly committing to a further 3 to 4 years in the role.
'I am sure you will welcome Mike to the association at what is an exciting time with more authorities and National Highways using or increasing their use of surface treatments, and local roads authorities' highway budgets increasing from next year.
'In the meantime, for the next 3 months, my work will continue as planned, including the development of Edition 2 of the Carbon document with Pye Management, brought forward to ensure members can have their sector emissions calculated in the autumn, in accordance with the new process that will include disposal, and full lifecycle figures.
'We will continue to exhibit / present at the industry events, undertake CPD training for clients and the private sector, and consider and report options for the annual conference from 2026 onwards, to the new conference sub-group. Everything will be 100% as is.'
He added: After more than 35 years in the sector and 41 years in total of my working life, I have decided now is the time to retire and see some parts of the world that I haven’t had time to see so far.'
Mr Boss worked both directly with local authorities and with the Tier One provider Amey over his career. From 2005 to 2020, he was highway asset manager looking after strategic, tactical and operational highway asset management in Staffordshire.
Mr Hansford has been with Dorset Council for over 29 years, of which 25 have been in highways.
He is also chair of the South West Regional Asset Management Group and also sits on the UKRLG Asset Management Board.
Mr Hansford said: 'I am delighted to take up the position of chief executive of the RSTA during a period of growth of membership and of use of surface treatments as more local authorities and contractors move to a more proactive approach to highway maintenance.
'I am excited to build on the great work undertaken by Paul and the team at the RSTA and am looking forward to working with the membership and Executive Committee to put more plans and improvements in place.'
