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Significant Progress - Kevin
Buckley on his first 12 Months
» » IN APRIL 2018, THE GLASS AND
Glazing Federation (GGF) appointed Kevin
Buckley as interim Group Chief Executive
with the appointment being made permanent
in October 2018. 12 months on and Kevin
is pleased with the success so far as he marks
the progress the GGF has made under his
tenure.
In the last 12 months, the significant
progress the GGF has achieved is clearly
evident. In the short space of time the
industry’s leading trade body has a
considerable list of achievements including:
• Expanded and reconfigured the GGF
Regional team with two new Regional
Managers as the GGF’s continues to
facilitate over 40 regional meetings per
year which attract both existing and new
Members.
• Launched the GGF Training programme
with accredited courses for installers and
surveyors to enhance performance in the
workplace.
• Continued to promote and develop the
GLASS Charter – the GGF’s health and
safety scheme to help you provide a safer
working environment on site, in factories
and during transit.
• Launched a new intranet system to
improve internal communications and
enhance staff engagement and to develop
greater team work.
• Established three distinct political
strategies for fire safety, energy efficiency,
skills and training. The renewed political
focus on these topical areas benefits
not just GGF Members but the entire
industry.
• Created a new External Affairs
department to focus more on media
relations, political relationships and PR.
• Worked closely with government on
issues associated with Brexit – an area
the GGF is constantly updating as the
timeframes and implementation shifts.
• Rejuvenated the approach and activities
of the GGF Heritage Group to help
businesses overcome the restrictions
imposed by local authorities on
companies operating in the heritage or
conservation sectors.
8 » JUN 2019 » CL EARVI E W- U K . C O M
• Launched new GGF Brand guidelines
and a new sharper logo.
• Launched the new GGF website –
making it easier to navigate across all
digital devices and platforms.
• Recruited over 50 new Members into
membership.
• Launched a new Members only fortnightly
e-newsletter called “Members First” to
ensure that all Members receive GGF news
first and in a clear and easy format.
• Hosted and organised high profile events
including Members Day and the recent
President’s Reception.
In addition, the GGF is also planning a
‘new Members’ introduction event for the
4th July, and has special features planned
for Members Day 2019 in September that
will include an exciting networking event
on the evening before, hosted at the London
‘Museum of Brands’.
Kevin continues: “One thing that I have
found most worthwhile this last 12 months,
has been discussing GGF activities with our
Members and listening to comments and
suggestions. A common misperception is that
the GGF senior staff don’t visit Members often
enough and don’t value their views. I know the
GGF team come into contact with hundreds
of Members and I believe that making myself
available to Members in various forums,
talking about what I am doing and listening to
opinions is one of the most important aspects
of my role. I have made it a personal objective
to do this and since my appointment, I
have visited Members both individually
and through attending many of the GGF’s
Regional, Technical and Members’ meetings.
“The shortage of skilled labour and training
is a real concern for most of the industry. Last
year, we reviewed our Members’ Perception
Survey and we have since shaped our strategies
around the responses. For example, the
training courses for installers and surveyors
that we now offer, have been created as a direct
result of what our Members said they wanted
in the survey.”
Though a lot of work has been done,
Kevin is keen to point out that it’s only the
beginning of the GGF’s long term strategies.
“For the rest of this year and into next year,
we will increase our technical resource and
publish more technical documents. We will
also develop and promote our training courses
and will be launching a new suite of health
and safety publications. Added to this we will
continue to drive our political campaigns,
build stronger relationships and develop
synergies with like-minded organisations.
There’s lots more to do and much more to
come, as we make it our mission to continue
to provide better services and improve the
trading environment for GGF Members and
the wider industry.”
www.ggf.org.uk