The Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) has appointed Andrew Harper, Group CEO of Gartec, as Chair of its Personal Lift Group (PLG), alongside Edward Moore, Managing Director of Alliance Platform Lifts, as Deputy Chair.
The PLG meets three times a year to address issues relating to mobility products including stairlifts, home lifts and lifting platforms, while providing input into LEIA’s wider work across technical standards, safety, education and training. In recent years, the group has contributed to major industry developments, including revisions to European standards EN 81-40 and EN 81-41, as well as the drafting of EN 81-42 and the transition of BS 5900 and BS 6440 into European Standards.
The group has also supported the development of LEIA’s distance learning unit on Lifting Platform Technology and overseen the production of consumer guidance. In addition, members regularly review market conditions and sector performance, including factors such as the Disability Facilities Grant, supported by LEIA’s PLG statistics.
Andrew Harper commented: “After more than 45 years in the industry, it feels like the right time to give something back to a sector that has given me a truly fulfilling career.
My focus will be on strengthening collaboration between member companies and improving how we communicate across the group. There is a real opportunity to share best practices more consistently, especially around safety, compliance and technical standards, and to avoid working in isolation. This collaboration will, of course, focus solely on non‑commercial areas.
My aim is for the PLG to operate in a more connected and practical way, with members openly exchanging what works, addressing common challenges together, and raising standards across our industry.”
Deputy Chair, Edward Moore, added: “I feel privileged to be appointed deputy chair of PLG for LEIA. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working closely with Andrew in representing and driving the PLG group priorities forward, as well as highlighting the importance of our area of work in the lift industry as a whole.”
Laura Webb, LEIA MD, concluded: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew and Edward into these roles. The Personal Lift Group plays an important role in supporting the sector, and their leadership will be key in continuing to drive standards, safety and innovation across the industry.”