Recipient of Award : Dick Smith QPM F/1520
There are many members who have over the years volunteered their time and effort in the service to the ABI and its membership, in one or other of the numerous roles and duties required for the good governance of the Association a local branch or in the implementation of projects, programs, even by mentoring and all for the benefit of fellow members. Duties that go generally unrewarded, often unrecognized, sometimes even unappreciated, but always demanding a sacrificial burden to the individual’s business and personal life.
The late Frank MARTIN was one of the ABI captains, a long serving GC member, President in 1970, pioneer of innovative ideas, not least founder of the ABI Benevolent Fund and through his generosity, the person who placed the ABI in its position of financial strength that we all benefit from to this day. It was therefore fitting for the ABI to create this Award in Frank’s name and memory, which is presented to a member who is considered to have served the Association above and beyond the call of duty.
My nomination for the 2022 Frank Martin Award goes to an individual who is without doubt most deserving of the recognition and someone I have had the privilege of working with on the GC for 7 years and very closely on a specific and extremely difficult project, for the past two years. A project demanding exceptional skill in the profession, insight into its history, methodologies and the changes needed to launch the sector into the modern day demands, meeting client expectations within the current regulatory framework.
The work involved addressing difficult issues and points of law, proof reading draft after draft of a very detailed document and almost monthly lengthy meetings with numerous senior government policy executives, not an easy task and certainly requiring a dedication, discipline and generous allocation of his own time. A task not many members would be able to undertake or be prepared to take on.
Dick SMITH became a member of the ABI on 02 November 2007, having been interviewed at the Wales & West Branch by a panel of four senior members. He joined the Governing Council in 2015 chairing membership, a position he held until taking on the Law Society liaison and Law Enforcement liaison then becoming President in 2018 to 2019.
Dick set up an investigative agency with his son Greg, also a Full member of the ABI, following a distinguished 30-year career as a detective with the Avon & Somerset Constabulary, from 1967. A career that ended with the highest police career recognition in the award, Queens Police Medal.
I do recommend Dick as a most worthy recipient of the Frank Martin Award.
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Imossi
ABI Secretariat
Past President
Past Chairman
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