John Newcomb was elected president of BHETA in a decisive vote at the association's AGM today.
Mr Newcomb, formerly vice president, received 87 votes while Charles Harrison, who stood against him, received 34.

The election follows what outgoing president Andrew Weiss described as a "highly acrimonious period" over the last year, and BHETA is now hoping that Mr Newcomb's victory will draw a line under it and allow the association to move forward.

Prior to the vote, Mr Newcomb told the meeting: "If I am elected, today marks the start of a new era for BHETA. We need to engage with all of the members and not just a few, working as a team to add value to our businesses. The new team will adopt a more communicative approach that acts on the aspirations and wishes of all members."

Speaking to DIY Week after the vote he said: "Obviously I am incredibly pleased because of the proportion of members who voted and the substantial amount of support I have received. The most important thing is that I want to draw a line in the sand and move the association forward. That's my number one concern - to deliver everything the members have asked for."

Fourteen non-executive directors were also elected today. These included Nick Ryder as vice president (housewares), John Grayson as vice president (DIY) and Gordon South as
treasurer.

The others were Chris Ball, James Green, Mike Holmes, Andrew Weiss, Nick Vanderhoest, Peter Bello, Patrick Gardner, Rhythm Jain, Tony Welton, Huw Buckle plus John Newcomb.

Candidates Carl Saunders and Charles Harrison failed to be elected.

After the meeting Charles Harrison told DIY Week: "I am pleased that there was an election, I am pleased I took part and I am pleased that 28% of the people that voted supported me. The result wasn't unexpected to me but that never put me off continuing the fight.

He added: "If I have a disappointment it is that I wasn't elected to the board because I feel that 28% of members do not have a voice. That could have made a difference. But if you stand for election you win or lose, and I am as capable of taking defeat as I am of taking victory."