Derek Leith, Regional Director for Northern Europe at Ingersoll Rand, has been appointed Vice President of the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS), the UK’s trade association for the compressed air and vacuum industry.
The appointment recognises Derek’s long‑standing experience in the sector and his active involvement in compressed air standards, skills, and best practice across the UK. He will serve alongside BCAS President Wendy Hayward, contributing to the Society’s work with manufacturers, service providers, and end users.
In his role at Ingersoll Rand, a global provider of mission‑critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions, Derek leads the Compression Systems & Services business across Northern Europe. He works closely with industrial customers to help address long‑standing priorities such as process uptime, return on operating expenses, operator safety, and growing decarbonisation needs. His BCAS position complements this role, allowing him to contribute at an industry level to the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Derek commented on his appointment: “At Ingersoll Rand, we have a long‑term commitment to supporting customers across the UK with mission‑critical compressed air solutions and service. I’m proud to work even more closely with BCAS and help ensure the industry continues to evolve in a way that benefits manufacturers, service providers, and end users alike.”
He shared that he will particularly focus on talent development. “The compressed air sector is full of talented engineers, but as we hear all too often, many are reaching the end of their careers, meaning we face a skills gap. We have an opportunity and responsibility to encourage the next generation of young technicians into our industry by demonstrating the opportunities available for skills development and career progression.”
Derek welcomes engagement with Chamber members interested in the priorities and work of BCAS, as well as those seeking insight into how Ingersoll Rand’s team in Aberdeen supports customers in improving uptime, efficiency, and long‑term operational performance.