MEDIA RELEASE
Date:6 June 2023
Image attached:Catalyst Head of Technical and Network - the new Vice-Chair of the Subsidence Forum
Catalyst's Paul Duddle gets job lift at subsidence forum
Paul Duddle, Head of Technical and Network at Catalyst Services UK, has been selected to be the Vice-Chair of the Subsidence Forum, the expert body for subsidence in the United Kingdom.
His appointment was approved by the forum's members at the body's annual general meeting in May. Paul has been a member of the forum's executive board since 2019.
He said: "I'm honoured that my peers on the Subsidence Forum have selected me to be vice-chair. Given the increasing importance of understanding subsidence and sharing information about it, I am very glad to serve in the role over the next 12 months."
Catalyst Managing Director Brad Jackson said: "We're delighted Paul has been selected to this role by his peers in the forum. His technical knowledge is matched by his desire to share it for the benefit of others. His appointment reflects the expertise Catalyst brings to bear to support our clients and customers."
The Subsidence Forum is a national group of experts and practitioners who raise public awareness about subsidence and encourage competent responses to the issue.
It has more than 60 members, including consultancy firms, arboriculturists, law firms, surveyors, subsidence repair specialists, engineering companies, claims service providers, and public bodies.
Paul has been appointed to be vice-chair as Liam Hanlon, Managing Director of the Forshaw Group, renovation specialists for the insurance sectors, takes over the role of forum chair from Sarah Dodds.
"Climate change is complicating the necessary response to subsidence in the UK," said Paul. "For example, reported incidents of subsidence are becoming more widespread across the UK.
"The heatwave of 2021 lead to both record temperatures and a huge spike in insurance claims as the extreme drying and then rewetting of ground contributed to more subsidence incidents. It is a phenomenon predicted to become more common.
"Over the coming months and years, this means the work of the subsidence forum will be more important than ever, as we'll need new approaches to subsidence to support property owners, insurers and specialist subsidence service providers."
Paul has more than 25 years' technical experience in carrying out drainage, water mains and subsidence investigations, as a director-level engineering lead, technical consultant and trainer.
He is responsible for maintaining and developing Catalyst's high degree of technical competence in delivering a range of coordinated services covering drainage, water supply pipes, leak detection, subsidence, home emergency response, and environmental services.
His talks and demonstrations, delivered at annual Subsidence Forum training days, are often highly praised by attendees for their expert insights, relevance, and creative delivery.
ENDS
For more information, contact Andy Comber
07889 630440
01952 883526
About Catalyst Services UK Ltd
Catalyst Services UK (formerly Catalyst Claims Management Ltd), founded in 2014, provides specialist investigations, repair and renewal services for the insurance industry, as well as commercial and domestic clients.
Its expertise is focussed primarily on drainage systems, including off-mains drainage, water supply systems, subsidence investigation, environmental services, and home emergency services.
The company name, Catalyst, is derived from a business approach that brings together all parties involved in an insurance claim - the provider, customer, and a trusted contractor selected from a managed network of expert suppliers - to create an efficient, effective, and sustainable outcome for all concerned.