CRASH Charity Led by the Best in the Industry

HAVING BEEN led by the best in the industry, the construction industry’s charity, CRASH now sees Tony Giddings, Director & Partner at Argent LLP, stepping down after 10 years as a trustee.

Tony has an impressive career in the property industry. Joining Argent in 1988, he has changed the face of some of the UK’s major cities. Tony has supported CRASH since it began 25 years ago.

Tony said: “I have been proud to contribute to this brilliant charity. CRASH has delivered hundreds of construction projects which have vastly improved the facilities for homelessness and hospice organisations throughout the country.

“Much more assistance is still needed, but I leave with the confidence that with the ongoing support of the Corporate Patron companies and an enthusiastic and efficient management team, many more vital projects will be delivered in future years.”

VolkerFitzpatrick Director Takes Over

John O’Grady, Commercial Director of the Building Division at VolkerFitzpatrick will take over from Tony as Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees. John has spent almost 25 years at VolkerFitzpatrick, and for five years, the business has been a Corporate Patron of CRASH. VolkerFitzpatrick has provided much-needed fundraising, with its recent Golf Day raising over £19,000 and is currently leading its fourth construction project for CRASH.

John stated: “By working with CRASH, we can provide a unique service – charities typically have little experience of construction and can’t fund specialist expertise. CRASH and VolkerFitzpatrick provide this expertise for free.

“We’re involved at every stage – planning, design, construction, and handover – to ensure charities get long-term value for money from their donations and grants. Furthermore, CRASH’s strong governance ensures we don’t just maximise the value of contributions from CRASH’s Corporate Patrons and supporters – we also maximise the value of donations received by the charity from other organisations and individuals.”

British Gypsum Director Joins

David McGarry, HR Director at British Gypsum, joins the charity’s Board of Trustees. David has more than 30 years of experience in Human Resources, 6 of those with British Gypsum, also a founding Corporate Patron of CRASH charity.

David said: “I am extremely proud that British Gypsum is supporting the needs of many people who benefit from the fantastic work that CRASH do in transforming their lives and making a real difference.

“British Gypsum has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), with an emphasis on working as part of our communities. What inspires me about CRASH, is their ability to create a foundation from which people can grow, providing things that we can all take for granted such as safety, shelter, and dignity. We can help by providing construction products, services and skills to projects that make a real difference and create a lasting legacy.”

CRASH Corporate Patrons

CRASH has 32 Corporate Patrons from across the construction and property industry. The charity’s Chairman Alan Brookes, Chief Global Operating Officer at Arcadis, heads a strong board of trustees with a singular focus: uniting the industry’s passion, skills and resources to create vital places that care for the sick, vulnerable and homeless across the UK.

Alan added: “CRASH is a beacon of good governance and charitable work for the construction industry. Getting involved with CRASH makes a difference to your business.

Corporate Social Responsibility

“People recognise your company is serious about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), giving something back to the communities in which you work and making a difference in the world in which we all live. It also makes your organisation one that people are proud to work for.”

“But for me it is the feedback from the people that get involved in fundraising, using their professional expertise to help on projects, or secondment to CRASH that is the most rewarding. They get a great sense of pride that they have been involved with something that has made a lasting difference.”

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