For the last two years, I have been working closely with long-time editor of Plumbing & HVAC Magazine, Simon Blake. Over those years, I have learned an incredible amount of knowledge from him about the industry.

I won’t say that it was always easy working with Simon. Ask anyone who knows him, and they will attest to his stubbornness. However, I am honoured to have been able to learn under him over the years. At the end of our term together, he truly has become a friend to me. Writing my first column without him across the boardroom table is a strange process without being able to bounce ideas off of each other, but I am looking forward to the future of this magazine.

To quote Simon: “Editing a magazine is a creative process,” and I am so glad to have been able to work with him, even if it was only for a few years. I know that when he reads this, he will be slightly embarrassed that I am taking the time to write this final piece to commemorate our time working together. But Simon, you’ll just have to deal with it.

These past few months, during the pandemic, we have been working closely (as close as you can get whilst still social distancing) to pass on his knowledge. I will miss our afternoon teatime.

Moving forward, we have hired another editor to our team, John Tenpenny. More to come on this in the September issue.

John and I will be working to continue Simon’s commitment to high-level journalism. John comes with extensive experience within the magazine editing industry and I am looking forward to working with him to continue the success Simon and I have been building these past two years.