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Institute
names
its star
players
The best industry
professionals and most
promising newcomers
within the international
door hardware industry
were recognised at the
Institute of Architectural
Ironmongers (IAI) Awards.
DEDICATION AND PASSION
The IAI Fellowship Award is always
given to an individual who has shown a
longstanding and ongoing commitment
to the IAI over at least 10 years, and who is
still actively involved within the industry
and Institute.
This year’s winner was Peter Haywood,
now working with Synergy Hardware.
Peter was presented with the Fellowship
Award for his “continuing dedication and
passion for the Institute”. He headed the
IAI as national chairman from 2006 until
2008, and has continued to support the
regional branches since then. He will
be taking over as chair of the south-east
branch later this month.
COMMITED TO CUSTOMERS
The Paul Lewis Award for Customer
Service is given to an individual, group or
company that has made an outstanding
commitment to customer services
throughout the year. The award is
sponsored by Royde & Tucker, and went
to Paul Barrows, Commercial Manager for
UK and Ireland for Assa Abloy Security
Solutions.
Paul was chosen as the winner for this
award for his commitment to giving the
best customer service. He was described
by the judges as “always willing to help
and not happy until he’s resolved every
last detail of a customer’s query,” and
a “modest, but very knowledgeable
professional who puts customers at the
heart of everything he does”.
CONTINUED LOYALTY
The GAI Award for Services to the
Institute is always awarded to a current
IAI member who has made a recent and
visible contribution at branch level. This
year’s winner was Paul Grech, Managing
Director of Glutz UK Ltd.
Paul previously served as vice chair,
and then as chair, for the south-east
branch. He still remains a strong
supporter and regular attendee of the
branch meetings, getting involved in
initiatives and debates. He is currently
on the GAI technical committee
representing the interests of the IAI. It is
this continued loyalty and commitment
that made him a “natural choice” for this
award.
WILLINGNESS TO HELP
The Promising Ironmonger of the Year
award went to Tom Davis, Residential
Category Manager at Carlisle Brass
Ltd. This award is given to the brightest
ironmongers in the early stages of
their careers. They could be involved
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in scheduling, estimating, sales or a
combination of them all, and the award
also recognises they have the charisma
and personality to inspire others.
Tom has demonstrated that he is
someone that takes his professional
development seriously, having completed
his GAI Diploma last year. Not only
is he continuing to improve his own
ironmongery knowledge, he is also
encouraging and supporting the learning
of his colleagues. He stood out to the
judges because of his “willingness to help
others, positive attitude and desire to get
involved in the sector”.
GIVING PRAISE
Mario Del-Signore, chairman of the IAI,
said: “The IAI awards are always a joyous
opportunity to put truly outstanding
individuals and companies in the
spotlight, and for them to receive the
praise they deserve for their particular
contributions in our sector.”
The IAI Awards were given at a dinner
following the Institute’s AGM, an event
that also included CPD opportunities for
Institute members and an Ironmongers’
Village area with new door hardware
products on display.
www.gai.org.uk