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The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers elected a new President at its latestt AGM and Conference.
John Jefferies, chief executive of the Laidlaw Interiors Group, took up his two-year tenure of office on Saturday 18 May 2013.
He takes over from outgoing President Phil Newson, chief executive of Allgood plc. A new Vice President was also elected: Maria Simmonds, managing director of Lorient Polyproducts.
In his inaugural speech, Jeffries outlined his plans for advancing the GAI and architectural ironmongery over the next two years.
As well the launch of important new education initiatives, he announced that the GAI would expand its overseas activities. There is already a strong uptake of the GAI education programme in the Middle and Far East and Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) branches in Hong Kong and a new branch will be opening in Dubai later this year.
Jeffries also announced that he intends to expand the GAI’s activities into India which he regards as a huge potential market for the GAI’s well-respected education programme.
