Currently managing director and founder of Crystaltech, an independent company specialising in the installation and servicing of commercial glasswashers and dishwashers, Maher was appointed at the ceda Board meeting in December 2018.
He will assume the Chair role at the AGM in April 2019.
Maher said: "With a background in Marine Engineering, Major Projects and Industrial Metallurgy my wife Maxine and I formed the basis of Crystaltech from our garage in 1980 with myself as the first (and only) engineer.
"From that perspective I am able to understand the challenges that face ceda members of all sizes. I have been a very active member of the ceda Technical Steering Group for a number of years and see first-hand how that has helped to improve industry standard and our membership.
"In the role as ceda Vice-Chair, I hope to build on the links that I have with other associations and institutions to the benefit of our ceda membership and the industry as a whole.”
Maher replaces Phil Howard of Catering Design Group who stood down due to a significant increase in business, which meant he would be unable to give the Chair role the commitment he would have wanted to.
ceda director general, Adam Mason commented: “Derek is very personable and incredibly giving of his time and vast knowledge for the betterment of the Association, fellow Members and the Industry at large. I very much look forward to working closely with Derek during his tenure as Chair.”