Andy Matthews, head of sales for the UK and Ireland at HOPPE (UK), has been appointed executive chair of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) community committee.
Andy has worked in the architectural ironmongery sector for 40 years and has been involved with the Guild for more than half of that time. He became chair of the Midlands branch in 2006 before becoming national chair of the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers a few years later. He is currently a member of the GAI’s executive board.
In his new role as executive chair of the community committee, Andy is turning his attention to skills attraction and retention.
“One of my main areas of focus will be how we make our industry more attractive to the next generation,” says Andy. “We must make sure that we’re securing that future skills pipeline, and part of that is making the industry accessible to everyone.
“I also want to use my experience to reinvigorate the community elements of the Guild. The community committee will be looking at creating new CPD materials that provide wider business training on things like commercial sales skills and networking on social media.”
Donna Wallis, business development manager at HOPPE (UK), has been appointed the GAI’s South East Hub Ambassador. Her colleague Karen Nelson, also a business development manager, has served as the Midlands Hub Ambassador since 2015.
