OFTEC has appointed a new Inspector for the south west region, who is no stranger to the importance of maintaining industry standards, having received one of the trade association’s first ever ‘Awards for Excellence’.

John Whitehill joins OFTEC following more than two decades at the helm of his own heating and plumbing business based in Gloucestershire. John’s company was one of the first businesses to register with OFTEC’s Competent Persons Scheme when it launched in 2002 and, in the same year, John was crowned OFTEC ‘Installer of the Year’.

In his new role as one of OFTEC’s 13-strong inspection team, John will be responsible for ensuring the work of OFTEC registered businesses across Cornwall and South Devon continues to comply with the highest industry standards, something which has been a priority for John throughout his 30-year career.

Commenting on his appointment, John said: “Professionalism and striving to achieve the best possible standards has always been the focus of my work. I was looking to take my career in a new direction so when the Inspector position at OFTEC came up, it felt like the perfect opportunity to carry this mindset forward.

“I enjoy passing on my experience and hope the knowledge I have built working on the tools and through 20 years of running my own business will be an asset in my new role. When I accepted OFTEC’s Installer of the Year Award back in 2002 my then Inspector said to me ‘you’ll have my job one day’. At the time I thought nothing of it – but it turns out he was right!”