DemolitionNews looks back over the IDE presidency of John Woodward.
By the time some of you get to read this, the Institute of Demolition Engineers will have a new figurehead as Steve Jack takes up the reins at the IDE’s annual general meeting at Lords Cricket Ground tomorrow.
The Institute and the presidency that Jack inherits are much-changed since this time two years ago when his predecessor received the chains of office from Terry Quarmby.
With his flamboyant dress sense and gregarious nature, John Woodward has moulded the IDE into something new; something for today. Yes, at its heart, the IDE is still focused upon achieving due recognition for demolition as an engineering discipline. But while in the past it might have been perceived as a slightly studious hybrid of academia and engineering with all the least interesting traits of both, the IDE today feels modern, credible and – above all – relevant.
At least two previous IDE presidents had stated their ambition for international recognition and membership. That ambition became a reality under Woodward’s stewardship. Over the years, the ties that bound the IDE to the NFDC and NDTG had grown weather-worn and frayed. Under Woodward, those ties were mended and drawn tighter to the mutual benefit of all.
Woodward – more modest than his wardrobe might suggest – would insist that the changed face of the IDE owes much to the work behind the scenes of its Council of Management. That might be true. But Woodward has been an ever-present figure at just about every major demolition event of the past four or five years. He has been a guest speaker at numerous overseas events and remains a forthright and respected judge for the World Demolition Awards. It is, therefore, no great surprise that the IDE’s international ambitions have been realised with Woodward in the hot seat.
Similarly, having written the NFDC’s Top Down guidance notes and, more recently, the NDTG’s Demolition Manager training course, links between these organisations have grown stronger as a direct result of Woodward’s input.
But Woodward’s legacy lies not in IDE members in far-flung locations, nor in cozy fireside chats with his opposite numbers at the NFDC and NDTG. Instead, his legacy lies in an unflinching and often controversial stance on the IDE members that failed to pursue the examination route to full MIDE accreditation and which led to their dismissal from the Institute. The IDE that Woodward hands over to Steve Jack might be smaller in number, but it has considerably more integrity and credibility as a result. As Woodward himself says: “Sometimes, when you’re growing a rose bush, it needs pruning to make it flourish.”
Under Woodward’s guiding hand, the IDE has indeed flourished and bloomed.
And, on the day that sees Steve Jack installed proudly as the new president of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, he knows that he is stepping into some big – and extremely pointy – shoes.
