OATA has welcomed its new Finance and Office Manager Dawn Jones, who will take over from Ray Valovec when he leaves in June.

Dawn joins from Goodings Accountants where she was Personal Tax Manager and Client Manager for a number of years. She brings her excellent accounting and administration skills to OATA’s Westbury office, where she will be the first point of contact for anyone getting in touch with the trade body. In her spare time, she volunteers at a local horse sanctuary and enjoys horseriding.

Dawn said: “I’ve very pleased to be joining the team and am really looking forward to the variety the job promises.”

Ray retires from OATA after 25 years keeping the Wiltshire-based office running smoothly and efficiently, having joined the team in March 2000. He’s been a mainstay in the organisation, keeping a beady eye on financial matters and has been the first port of call for OATA members. During his time at OATA he has organised and run OATA conferences and acted as Director of the AQUA trade show during its first 10 years of operation.

Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee said: “We are certainly going to miss Ray who has been the backbone of our office for many years. We wish him well in his retirement – he’s certainly earned it! And we are very happy to have Dawn join us. She is now benefiting from a six-week handover from Ray to help her hit the ground running when he leaves. I’m sure our members will join us in making her feel welcome to the office team.”