Page 51 - BHTA 100 years

The VAT Man, a new business plan, wheelchair distributors come on board...
In 1993, VAT regulations were taking up a good deal of the Association’s time. Sten Chesser, Managing Director of Keep Able Ltd was heavily involved in discussions with HM Customs and Excise on behalf of members.
Sten was Chairman of the Rehabilitation Products Section at the time and he wrote in a report: “It is very dif cult to explain to Mrs Smith that she must pay VAT on a walking stick when her friend in another county need not.”
A meeting was held with the ‘Central VAT Of ce’ alongside Charles Moore OBE, Director of the DLF and Mary Holland, Assistant Director of RADAR. Later, a group met with Sir
John Cope, the Paymaster
General when Maggie Winchcombe, Chairman of the Disabled Living Centres Council, also attended.
Sidney Muntz MBE was awarded a Distinguished Service Certi cate from BSI in 1993. Sidney, Executive Chairman of S Murray & Co, was involved with the Association for several decades and had been Chairman and President. Here he is presented with the certi cate by Ron Kendrew who was Chairman of BSTA Council.
“Memories from... Ian Sherwood
The highlight of my involvement
with the Association was the decision by the British Association of Wheelchair Distributors to join forces with us. It cemented the transition from the old shape of the membership to the new”ly evolved organisation serving a
much wider segment of healthcare.
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