Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 22
PROUD SPONSOR OF
INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRYNEWS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
“THE VOICE
OF THE
GOVERNMENT
FOR THE
INDUSTRY”
» THE GLASS AND GLAZING
Federation since its very foundations has always
aspired to be the voice to Government for the
industry. This has been proven time and again
over the last four decades, as the GGF worked
with Government departments on Building
Regulations, formed certification schemes at the
Government’s request and through to lobbying
for greater energy efficiency initiatives.
Having witnessed and played my part in
Government talks when the GGF was asked
to help regulate the installation sector and
set up FENSA, the industry’s original and main
competent person scheme, it comes as no
surprise that the Government has granted
the GGF £50k to prepare the industry for the
impact of Brexit.
It is easy for some trade bodies to claim
to be “the voice of the industry”. However,
to have a justifiable claim to that title involves
not just having a substantial number of
member companies, but more importantly,
such an organisation must have the scope and
breadth of member companies and long term
commitment from those companies to develop
political campaigns. The GGF, fortunately has
such quality and, additionally, the loyalty of the
best companies throughout the entire supply
chain. It’s an enviable but earned position.
At present, I am a member of the GGF’s
Political Strategy Committee. It’s made up of
elected Members from the following sectors;
manufacturing, processing, home improvement
and installation. Being on that Committee, I
see first-hand all the political work the GGF
undertakes and the challenges we face. Not
just GGF members but the entire industry.
The GGF’s political activity includes, meeting
and engaging with Government departments,
taking part in debates in parliament, engaging
with MPs, attending All Party Parliamentary
Groups (on Fire Safety, Energy Efficiency,
Training, Skills and much more) and
responding to Government consultations.
It’s a considerable output, requiring expert
knowledge, great energy, drive and passion.
For many years, the GGF has also built a
strong network in the political arena. This
has resulted in productive relationships
and alliances with like-minded trade
organisations such as The British Energy
Efficiency Federation (BEEF), National Home
Improvement Council (NHIC), Construction
Products Association CPA), Federation of
Master Builders (FMB) and many more.
The GGF political work is also very well
channelled. For over 20 years they have
worked with Dods – the leading political
monitoring and communications company. In
the last 10 years, the GGF has also employed
GK Strategy, a political advisory and strategic
political communications firm with far reaching
and in-depth knowledge of the political world.
Working with these expert companies has
proved fruitful raising the profile, coverage and
awareness of the GGF brand.
With Brexit on the horizon, the GGF is
clearly putting the Government funding to
good use. An impressive new GGF Brexit
Hub has been created - a micro-site housing
latest news, key information, updates and
guidance on areas such as technical standards,
policy and legislation changes, freedom of
movement of people and goods. The GGF
has also issued special online newsletters,
created web advertising and implemented
social media and search engine marketing
to complement the campaign. In addition,
I understand that the GGF has mailed
thousands of companies a 16-page guidance
brochure on Brexit.
With all this activity, combined with the
GGF’s political planning and long-standing
reputation representing the industry, the
Government’s recent confidence in the GGF,
only highlights the Federation’s position as
the voice of the industry to Government.
I’m delighted to be helping to write that
story.
Yours sincerely,
Greg O’Donoghue
Do you have something to say? Email [email protected]
22 » DEC 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M