Julian
Newman has been appointed as the new president of the Guild
of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), with a new team of executive officers and a clear agenda for
change.

Julian
will lead the major new developments currently underway at the GAI and
Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) as part of the One Future Vision
initiative.

One
Future Vision is the name given to the change programme first proposed three
years ago. It was born from concerns among members and the executive teams of
both the GAI and the IAI that, in the fast-changing business environment for
architectural ironmongers and the construction industry we serve, we were at
risk of having much less influence and impact.

Julian
is the managing director of Oxford Ironmongery. He started his career in
architectural ironmongery as a sales representative with Henderson Hardware,
and has taken on a series of roles since then that are all focused on
demonstrating the value of architectural hardware and progressing professional
standards in the industry.

Julian
said:

“While
members may not have felt it directly yet, major change is already underway.
Next year we will launch a brand new, dynamic organisation that will be the
voice of the industry and that will stop at nothing to advocate and advance the
membership and industry.

“My
aim is to drive the new organisation forward but I want to reassure all members
that we won’t be making major changes without consulting them every step of the
way.

“I
look forward to working with the rest of the GAI team and the executive
committee to take the One Future Vision initiative through to a successful
conclusion and provide a platform for future industry success.â€� 

Angie
Corkhill, director of the GAI, said:

“Julian
brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the architectural
ironmongery industry and to the GAI. His 30 years of commitment to the industry
and his dedication to the profession makes him an ideal candidate for the GAI
Presidential role at this exciting and pivotal time.�

Other
senior appointments confirmed at the GAI’s AGM included Mario Del-Signore,
managing director at CES Security Solutions, who takes on the role of GAI Vice
President, and Steve Bewick, senior vice president at dormakaba, who becomes
the GAI’s Treasurer.

www.gai.org.uk