Julian Newman has been appointed as the new president of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI). Julian, pictured, will lead at the GAI and Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) as part of the One Future Vision, the change programme first proposed three years ago. It was born from concerns among members and executives of the GAI and the IAI that, in the fast-changing business for architectural ironmongers and the construction industry they serve, they were at risk of having much less influence.
Julian is the managing director of Oxford Ironmongery. He started his career in architectural ironmongery as a sales representative with Henderson Hardware. He said: “While members may not have felt it directly yet, major change is already under way. 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.”
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 becomes GAI Vice President, and Steve Bewick, senior vice president at dormakaba, who becomes the GAI’s Treasurer. Visit www.gai.org.uk.
