At the last ceda Board Meeting in December 2023, Derek Maher confirmed that he was stepping down as a Director of the Association due to retirement.

Crystaltech are a long-standing ceda Member and Derek has been actively involved in the Association for many years, sitting on the Technical Support Group, including serving as the Chair.

Derek joined the Board in 2016 and served as Chair between 2019 and 2021. His tenure as Chair was dominated by Brexit and Covid where his calm, measured, determined and considered manner were critical in the work that ceda undertook to support and guide the Industry.

Commenting on his time in the Industry; “Like many ceda members my wife, Maxine, and I started from our garage and grew steadily over 43 years. As I often say being a specialist in “Washing Up” was never my vision when I left school but I’m proud of the business that we built. I am also incredibly proud of my membership of ceda. It is a true community of, often competing, members all striving to raise standards in the industry. I can look back over my time and see real significant improvements that have been made, driven by ceda, that have benefited Members and the wider Industry.. I will continue to assist Crystaltech and ceda technically when the need arises.”

Current ceda Chair, Kirstin Hatherley commented; “Derek has given so much to ceda over the years and as an Association we have a lot to be thankful to him for. On a personal level, he has been incredibly supportive of me and I am very grateful. I wish him a happy retirement.”

His support of the Association was undertaken at the same time as building Crystaltech into the business it has become demonstrating the dedication, commitment, long hours and vast work ethic that Derek is known for.

Adam Mason, ceda Director General added; “Derek is among the most selfless people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He has given a great deal to ceda over the years and many Members have benefitted directly from his expertise on water treatment, tender documentation and achieving ISO and Health & Safety accreditations. He has championed the work of the Association to the Operator and Facilities Management sectors. I thank him both professionally and personally for everything that he has given to ceda and the Industry and wish his wife Maxine and he a long, happy and healthy retirement.”