Following the sudden resignation of former president John Newcomb, the British Home Enhancement Trades Association has decided not to rush the election process and run without a president until its next AGM in May 2013.
Until then, the executive team will report directly to the board. DIY director Peter Stone said: "The association is operating effectively, is financially under control, and we see no issues with this."

The decision was announced at Bheta's recent agm held at the group's base in Birmingham last week. Housewares director Will Jones joined Mr Stone in updating members on the latest nominations for the Bheta board, and several returning and new faces were voted in.

Three new board members were appointed: RB Ltd's Clive Lloyd, QEP Vitrex's Paul Boyce and Richard Walker from Eddingtons.

John Jackson was re-elected as vice president of housewares, and Clive Lloyd was elected as vice president for DIY.

The AGM also marked the first ever presentation of two Blue Riband Awards celebrating the contributions of Andrew Weiss and John Newcomb to the association.

"It is rare to have the opportunity to honour a past president with some 15 years or so history with the association," said Mr Stone, "and today is unique in the sense that we are actually able to honour two!"

· A more detailed account of the latest Bheta AGM and the DIY Forum featuring the financial forecasting of guest speakers Neil Saunders of Columino and Graeme Chaplin from the Bank of England, will appear in the September 21 issue of DIY week.