Presidential appointment for Hall

GEZE UK’s managing director Andrew Hall promises to focus on greater support for the smaller architectural ironmonger as he takes on the mantle of President of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) this month.

From the promotion of the Guildmark scheme, to supporting initiatives designed to help police product claims, Andrew has set out his key priorities to ensure the Guild offers even better services to its membership.

In a highly competitive market, the UK’s architectural ironmongers provide specialist scheduling services and technical support for architects and contractors, specifying and installing products that are fit for purpose, while facing ever complex and stringent European standards. A great supporter of this important and unique role, Andrew is determined to ensure the needs of smaller architectural ironmongers are met during his Presidency.

“I’m delighted to take on the Presidency of the Guild, which I firmly believe has a very important role to play in ensuring the survival and success of Architectural Ironmongers as the UK enters more difficult times. During my 20 years working within the building industry, I have not come across another distribution chain that contributes quite so much value. We will build on this further by engaging more with the smaller Architectural Ironmongers and their Institute Members who are the lifeblood of our industry, operating at the coalface every day,” commented Andrew Hall.

As the head of the UK’s leading manufacturer of door and window control systems, Andrew is a firm believer in the importance of a proactive Guild and is keen to deliver greater support to architectural ironmongers by focusing on the GuildMark scheme, which is endorsed by the RIBA and continue the process of modernising the already popular and well respected Guild Education Program.

“Guildmark is perhaps the most significant development for the Guild and this industry for many years and one which is well supported by AIs and manufacturers. It crystallises the Guild’s commitment to quality, education and professional excellence and we’ll be working with RIBA to ensure the scheme takes on a higher profile with both specifiers and architects.”

The Guild will also take a more proactive role on a technical level, by offering a technical help facility with more in-depth technical publications and unprecedented representation from the Guild on standards committees across the Europe. Andrew will also bring a tougher stance to the monitoring of manufacturers’ claims in literature and on websites, to ensure that all claims are honest and can be substantiated with relevant certification.

“On a European platform, our role as influencers, working alongside like-minded companies, is essential. And by becoming more proactive in the policing of product claims, we can ensure Guild Members’ specifications are accurate and beyond reproach. It’s our responsibility to set and maintain the standards and criteria that will make our industry world beating, but also to provide the support and structure to enable the members to benefit fully, which is why we’re committed to giving our members access to a valuable technical resource,” explained Andrew.

GEZE UK has strong links with the Guild and Institute of Architectural Ironmongers, with several Directors committing their personal time and experience to help the industry. A committed member of the Guild, Andrew has held the Treasurer’s position for three years after joining the Executive Committee in June 2000. During this time, he has led the successful team at GEZE UK, delivering consistently strong sales growth throughout the company’s history, combined with many product innovations, the development of the Service Division and strong brand awareness.

“I honestly believe that well-run companies will continue to succeed and emerge on the other side of the slow-down, stronger and better. They will continue, in the best traditions of our trade, to spot and exploit opportunities and offer architects and contractors the service that they value so highly.”

Guild of Architectural Ironmongers website