With 29 years service at the BBA Luke could be considered affectionately as part of the furniture. He joined the organisation in July 1988 as a Laboratory Technician in Test Service’s chemistry lab.

Not one to hang around, Luke gained an HNC in Applied Chemistry from Hatfield Polytechnic during his first year with the BBA. Then after a further four years of day-release study with Hertfordshire University he went on to achieve a degree in Applied Chemistry.

Work was varied and involved physically and chemically testing a wide range of building products including damp-proof course products, ventilators, cavity wall insulation, paints and coatings, bitumen roofing, window and door profiles and hardware, PVC-U cladding and roof trim.

In 2000 Luke moved from Test Services to Certification, working on the assessment of windows and doors as well as PVC-UE roofline and cladding. In 2008 he was promoted to Sector Manager for Windows and Doors. Since then, Luke has set up annual audit testing for security of windows and doors to PAS24, and has introduced window and door hardware Agrément Certification.

Luke sits on various committees including Secured by Design and BFRC Energy Ratings and his work includes looking at changes for window and door standards.

Luke is incredibly giving, he has chaired the BBA social committee for 15 years and in his own time he operates a charity tuck shop for BBA staff.

“I have seen a lot of changes, including two CEO’s, many staff changes, a number of office moves and lots of technological improvements. I thoroughly enjoy working at the BBA, everyone is really friendly, really helpful and very knowledgeable.”

Luke’s spare time is always filled. He is a season ticket holder at both European and Premiership champions Saracens and is a member of St. Albans Lions, a charity/fundraising club that raises funds for local charities. And if all the above were not enough to keep him occupied, he is also a keen beekeeper:

“I’ve kept bees for twelve years and have two apiary locations. Six hives in my own apiary in Shenley and seven hives on-site at BRE. BRE operate a Staff Champions Scheme which encourages BRE staff to take up interesting hobbies – about six years ago I was asked by BRE if I would be prepared to show others how beekeeping works. This has been really successful and people come along each week to learn about beekeeping. Last year we collected over 200 jars of honey.”

In 2016 Luke’s honey won an award for the best honey in St. Albans.

Luke lives locally to the BBA, is married and has a daughter, aged 10. His wife’s job involves a good deal of travelling, and when the opportunity arises he and his daughter join her, travelling to places like Egypt, Canada, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, America, China and Hong Kong.

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Luke Adams
Luke Adams – Bee-Keeper
Honey Extraction Video