The Dental Laboratories' Association (DLA) recently said goodbye to its chief executive Bill Courtney. He had been its chief executive since 1987, but had been actively involved with the association since 1976.

He started his career as a self-employed technician in 1970 in London and by 1973 he was employing 14 people in a laboratory in High Wycombe The 1980s saw him selling his laboratory to a larger group, and setting up again in the south-west. He finally sold again to join the DLA full time in 1987.

During his time at the DLA, he had seen the association grow from less than 400 members to a body representing 50 per cent of the labs in the country and has seen a number of changes and developments in the industry.

Richard Daniels took over the role at the beginning of this year.