The BPF Gold Medal 2011 Awarded to Plastic Pipes Man

The BPF Gold Medal for distinguished service to the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and the Plastics Industry has been awarded to Frank Jones, Director of the BPF Plastics Pipe Group.

Frank Jones, a Public Health Engineer, became director of the BPF’s Plastic Pipes Group (PPG) in 1993.

During his time as Director of the PPG Frank has been responsible for overseeing the industry’s introduction of a number of innovations in plastic piping systems, including structured wall pipe and the development of plastics for hot and cold water distribution as a mainstream product. He has co-ordinated the industry’s response to a number of unwarranted attacks from traditional materials, both directly and indirectly through his extensive network garnered over many years. Frank was instrumental in the setting up of an installer training agreement with Welsh Water, setting a benchmark for the contracting industry.

More recently, Frank has played a key role in setting up and running the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sewers and Sewerage (APPGSS). The group has been successful in brining into legislation the transfer of private sewers - a significant development for many private householders.

He is well known and respected in the plastics pipes industry, at home and abroad. He is Chairman of the BSI Committee for Plastic Piping Systems, regularly representing the UK at Standards Committee meetings.

President of the BPF, Philip Watkins who presented the Gold Medal to Frank Jones said, “He became Director of the BPF Plastic Pipes Group in 1993 and helped make it the thriving body that it is today. He has been influential on standards, absolutely key to the success of plastic pipes.”

Jones received the distinguished accolade at the 78th BPF Annual Dinner at the Lancaster London in Hyde Park on Wednesday 12th October.