Archives for May 2017

Phil started his new role on 2^nd May and is still settling into the role but has been pleased with his first few weeks commenting, “Not coming from the industry, it has been a whirlwind few weeks and I am still very much in the middle of a learning curve. One thing that is becoming quite clear is that we have a strong and experienced team in place, delivering a high level of service to our Members, but there is of course always room for improvement.”

With a background of successfully growing Membership organisations, Phil added, “My aim is to grow GGF Membership, but to ensure that we recruit quality companies into Membership. It is imperative we retain the high standards the GGF has built up for the last forty years.”

Phil is planning to attend The FIT Show in Birmingham next week where the GGF will be presenting technical seminars and holding a special 40th Anniversary Party on stand N35 in Hall 8 as part of The FIT Show’s BIG Tuesday evening.

Phil added, “Though I am new to the industry, I am looking forward to visiting the FIT Show and to meeting more GGF Members at what promises to be an interesting and exciting exhibition.” 

The GGF said a fond farewell to Brian Baker on Friday 12 May.

Brian has been the GGF’s interim Chief Executive since the start of this year but his connection to the GGF goes back to 1983 when as an employee of GGF Member Solaglas (now Glassolutions Saint-Gobain) he attended the GGF Laminators Group.

In the last ten years, Brian’s involvement in the GGF and subsidiary companies has been instrumental and at one point Brian being a regular contributor to over 25 GGF Specialist Technical Groups, Committees, Technical Working Parties and Regions (as Chairman and vice-chair) and as a Board director. In 2014, Brian was elected GGF President and after his two year tenure, he then returned as interim President in the latter half of 2016.

In recent times, Brian has overseen many transformations at the Federation including; the move in October 2016 to the GGF’s present offices in Southwark, the GGF Group’s restructure and the setting up of the Helix Group as the umbrella company for the GGF’s subsidiaries.

Brian’s intention was to retire in December 2016, but following the retirement of long standing CEO Nigel Rees, he was asked by the GGF Board to step in as the GGF’s interim Chief Executive until the start of Phil Pluck’s tenure as the new GGF Chief Executive.

On his retirement from the industry Brian commented, “I am pleased that I leave the GGF in a very strong position with a new Chief Executive, impressive new offices and the new structure between the GGF and Helix Group now fully in place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the GGF staff and Members for their incredible support throughout my time as President and Chief Executive. It is because of them that the GGF has become the main trade organisation in the industry. I wish all connected to the Federation, all the very best for the future.”