Expanding fire safety and fire risk assessment consultancy MAF Associates has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of business veteran Gary Martin as Operations Director.

Responding to unprecedented demand for its services following the imposition of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and publication of PAS 9980, MAF Associates has charged the former FPA commercial team member with overseeing the growth of the business. In particular, Gary, 60, will focus on developing a clear and comprehensible service offering that can be effectively communicated through the sales team, website, advertising and other marketing channels.

“Following rapid growth of the business and several new appointments in 2021, it became clear that we needed someone with in-depth fire industry experience to spearhead our growth and strategic development,” said Mike Fox, founder and MD of MAF Associates. “I’ve known Gary for many years and, with a rare combination of commercial experience and roles within industry bodies such as the FPA, he was an obvious choice. I’m very excited to see what he can bring to the team.”

As one of only a handful of UK firms able to offer the full range of services necessary to ensure full compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2001, including the stipulations relating to facades and cladding, MAF Associates is acutely aware of the need to meet growing demand for its service, while also ensuring that quality and professionalism are maintained at all times, which is where Gary comes in. A key focus of his role will be to promote services such as ACT ONE, which offers a fully integrated FSA compliance solution for clients in the high-rise residential sector.

“After sitting down with Mike and hearing his ambitions for MAF Associates, I was really excited to become part of the team at this challenging time for the whole fire industry,” said Gary. “The team has clearly been doing an excellent job, and I can see further opportunities for growth as we capitalise on demand for the specialist skills and expertise that exists within the team, while also helping to meet unprecedented demand for fire risk assessments and consultancy.

“What has really impressed me is that Mike is in business for the right reasons. While MAF Associates does need to be profitable, the focus is on delivering a five-star service focus on the needs of clients. That’s not only about delivering a five-star service to our clients; It’s also about commitment to training and development for the existing workforce and the wider fire sector in the UK.”

Having started out in architecture, Gary has worked in varied roles over the course of his career, including construction and giftware, as well as a stint running his own marketing agency with clients including B&Q and Indesit Hotpoint, before joining the FPA. The grandfather of two, who lives in Evesham, is an avid fan of Gloucester Rugby Club, or a ‘proud Shed Head’ as he prefers to describe it.

MAF was founded in 2010 by Mike, building on three decades of experience in the construction sector, including posts with roofing, cladding and building products companies. Since 2015, he has built MAF into one of the UK’s leading building inspection and investigation businesses, providing detailed reporting and analysis for insurers, building management and construction companies. The company’s clients include many household names, including Persimmon, and the aim of the MAF team is to build trusted, long-lasting partnership with all clients.

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