Andy Matthews

DipGAI, MInstAI
National Chairman

Andy is GAI qualified, passing his exam in 1995. He has been in the industry for 23 years, joining Josiah Parkes and Sons (lock manufacturer) as an apprentice straight from school in 1986. At the moment he is the National Sales Manager for the architectural division of HOPPE (UK) Ltd. Andy joined the IAI Midlands branch committee in 2005 and has been chairman since 2007.

Being chairman of the branch has been enjoyable for him as it enables him to keep in contact with the industry fraternity. It is also a benefit as he is able to continue to learn about products and technical standards etc.

Andy says "I feel in the last few years as chairman, the committee and I have maintained the branches reputation for providing a varied mix of technical presentations at our monthly meetings. Branch members attend our meetings from all over the Midlands (Lincoln, Birmingham,Northampton), so we try to accommodate all by using venues throughout the region. We also have held meetings at the premises of an Architectural Ironmonger - I believe we are the only region to have done this."