The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that Richard Bromley is to chair its Building Hardware Group, supported by new vice-chair, Neil Rule. Richard has many years’ experience in the lock and hardware industry and, in 2021, was appointed business development director and chief technology officer for Assa Abloy UK and Ireland.
Richard (pictured top left) has worked for Assa for more than 10 years, starting as general manager of replacement multi point locks in 2012. Prior to joining Assa, Richard was commercial director for 13 years at E Aldridge.
Neil (also pictured) started working in the industry in 1998. After leaving school, he served an electrical apprenticeship at Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council. For more than 20 years, Neil has held sales and commercial roles of increasing responsibility within the area of mechanical cylinder locking and electronic access control systems. Neil is the ARGE work group convenor for Masterkey Systems Data Security, sits as a UK expert on CEN/TC33/WG4 and is a BSI committee member. He is also a longstanding member of DHF.
Richard and Neil’s new roles follow the announcement last month of David Whitworth’s retirement as chair of the Building Hardware Group and chair of DHF. Paul Browne, former UK chief technology officer and business development director of Assa Abloy, is to be the DHF’s new chair.
“We are delighted to welcome Richard and Neil into their new positions, and wish them both the very best,” said Bob Perry, the DHF’s CEO. “Both have a tremendous level of experience in the industry, and, together with Paul Browne’s appointment, the DHF is facing the year with great optimism and a superb team in place. We are grateful to be able to benefit from the knowledge and skillset that, collectively, they bring with them.”
