The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) group has reviewed its internal management operations and made changes to its senior management team. The move follows earlier changes, made in spring, to the GGF’s executive management structure. The new changes complete the GGF’s project, which aimed to unite and integrate the organisation’s operational arms.
The revisions aim to create a structure within which senior managers will now work across the GGF group, focusing on specific business functions, rather than operating as separate businesses. The businesses and brands will remain, and are to include the GGF Trade Federation, the Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme (Fensa); Rushworth Inspection Services and Auditing (RISA), the GGF group’s inspection and auditing company); the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC); Installsure insurance services; and the software systems supplier, Borough IT. GGF’s aim is to significantly reduce duplication whilst increasing efficiency and communication.
Anda Gregory, the group’s chief development officer, who has led the process, said: “At the heart of the restructure is the desire to make the most of the talent, skills and expertise that we have within the GGF Group. Many of our talented people often worked alongside each other but on different brands and with differing goals and objectives. This reorganisation allows our people to focus their skills for the benefit of the whole group, and of course, for our members and customers of our commercial businesses.”
In addition to the existing executive management team – Anda Gregory, chief development officer; John Agnew, group managing director; Asha Pyndiah, finance director; and Frieda Nahary, head of HR – the GGF’s new appointments are as follows below:
- Chris Beedel, head of advocacy and stakeholder relations: This new role aims to ensure that the GGF has full-time interaction with government, industry and other key stakeholders;
- Lis Clarke, operations director: Lis takes on the enlarged role overseeing the operations of UKAS-regulated businesses (UKAS is the the UK’s national accreditation body), Fensa and the BFRC;
- Dave Mechem, director of inspections: Dave continues to oversee RISA assessments and audits, along with developing a broader range of technical support for the commercial brands;
- Tom Butler, head of sales and marketing: This role assumes responsibility for group sales and marketing;
- Irene Akpojaro, head of insurance: Irene continues supervising the operation of Installsure, and is to manage all of the group’s insurance activity; and
- James MacPherson, head of operational risk: this new role covers all operational risk, including health and safety, environmental concerns, and training.
Two longstanding members of the GGF’s staff – Peter Stuttard, the GGF’s head of membership; and James Lee, the GGF’s director of marketing and external affairs – have decided to pursue their careers outside of the GGF the group. John Agnew, the GGF’s managing director, said: “Both Peter and James have been loyal servants to the GGF. They will be missed, and we wish them both well in whatever the future holds.”
The GGF is due to make further appointments, as Anda explained: “We are actively recruiting for the position of head of membership and customer relations, whose focus will be on continuing delivery of value and benefits to our members and customers, along with the development of additional membership benefits, with a strong emphasis on the GGF Trade Federation. During the recruitment process, our GGF regional managers will ensure that it is business as usual for GGF members in receiving the very best service possible. We will also continue to enhance our excellent GGF technical team, which has recently expanded following John Mannell joining the team.”
Anda added: “These appointments are designed to drive the GGF Group and its brands forward, to deliver powerful, tangible benefits to our GGF membership, our commercial businesses and to the glass and glazing industries collectively, as the primary representative organisation for the sector. We have the very best people in place to deliver some very ambitious plans over the coming years, to offer real value for members.
“The GGF Group is surprisingly complex, with several regulated businesses covering UKAS and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). At the core of the restructure has been an imperative that each individual business retains a substantial degree of independence and a separate board, and that we honour our impartiality requirements, which are at the heart of how we operate the commercial businesses.
“The restructure has been comprehensive in its nature, to ensure that we adhere to our regulations at all times,” continued Anda. “We’re fortunate to have an impartiality committee for Fensa, to represent both consumers and the industry, and which acts as a sounding board to provide independent balance. It’s been great to have their input into ideas, to ensure we put the proper safeguards in place.”
John Agnew added: “The reorganisation has required a great deal of planning and consultation, and is the work of the revised executive management group that was created earlier this year. These changes have been made after considerable feedback from our members, customers and the wider industry, and will allow the GGF Group to deliver an ambitious and dynamic programme of growth and development, for our members and for the glass and glazing industry, at every level.”
Tony Smith, the GGF’s president, concluded: “We are pleased to be able to finally share this positive news with our members, customers and the wider industry. As a board, we are committed to the GGF Group providing excellent service. This restructure will enable further enhancement and value to an already strong base.”
