The GAI Community Awards celebrate the very best businesses and individuals in the architectural ironmongery industry, with categories for achiever, company innovation, customer focus, leadership, fellowship.
The following winning and shortlisted entries were celebrated in an awards ceremony at The Brewery in London on Thursday 23 November 2023.
The judging panel comprised: Neil Rule, Access 2 (chair); Karena Clayton, Colour Interiors; Angus Grant, Carlisle Brass; Juliette Lambert, County Architectural Ironmongery; and Laurence Whittle, GAI.
Achiever
Acclaiming the brightest and best among those who are still developing their careers.
Winner
Bryony Matthews, IronOut
Highly Commended
Daniel Llewellyn, SDS London
Judges’ Comments
“A worthy candidate doing much to put her knowledge to great use and raise awareness our sector. Having worked for two well-regarded architectural ironmongers, Bryony has shown determination, desire and talent to set up her own company. She can already demonstrate many excellent achievements in a short space of career time.
“In fact, the judges felt both the winner and the highly commended entry were very close, albeit at such different places in their career. Both are a cut above, and both have achieved so much in their own way – definitely ones to watch for the future!”
Company Innovation
For companies which have demonstrated they are innovating through improved processes that deliver positive change to them, their customers or wider society.
Winner
Eurobond Doors Ltd
Judges’ Comments
“Eurobond has made a tremendous investment in solar and is able to clearly significant CO2 savings through this and other initiatives. This entry also highlighted the future steps Eurobond Doors intends to take to provide sustainable energy to neighbouring businesses, helping others deliver on their own sustainability commitments. Eurobond has changed business practices and used new technologies to improve outputs, reduce costs, and improved sustainability at a time when this is a priority for everyone.”
Shortlisted
Instinct Hardware
SDS London
Leadership
Celebrating those who have demonstrated leadership within the architectural ironmongery sector.
Winner
Michael Spoors, Managing Director, Norseal Ltd
Judge’s Comments
“A standout entry which showed why Michael is so well respected as a business leader whose skills have propelled Norseal forward to their current market leading position. Among many examples of championing personal growth and development, his support for two team members leaving the business to pursue their passions at university demonstrates selflessness and effective leadership – no doubt getting the very best from those people during their time with Norseal and gaining nothing but respect and engagement from everyone else once they left.”
Shortlisted
Pat Jefferies, Commercial Director, ABLOY UK
Simon Ayers, Sales Director, SDS London Ltd
Customer Focus
For individuals, companies or teams that have delivered excellence in customer service whether through new processes or for consistently delivering beyond expectation and delighting the customer.
Winner
Norseal Ltd
Judges’ Comments
“You can’t double a business in seven years without great customer service! This entry demonstrated customer focus that has made a real impact. A highly regarded sales team is supported with training and CPD, customer feedback clearly shows how much they value reliable next-day customer service, and the Academy is an excellent addition to their service.”
Shortlisted
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Ltd
Chloe Bunning, Hafele UK Ltd
Daniel Llewellyn, SDS London Ltd
Lindsay Ellis, Boss Door Controls Ltd
Michelle Watkins, Codelocks UK Ltd
Fellowship
Awarded to an individual who has shown a longstanding and ongoing commitment to the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers.
Winner
Karen Nelson DipGAI FGAI RegAI DipDS DipFD, Business Development Manager, HOPPE UK
Judges’ Comments
“Karen is highly regarded and commands a great deal of respect not just from her fellow Hub members and company colleagues by many throughout the industry. She has earned this through her service to the industry over and above her own career or professional gain. Karen is a thoroughly committed professional who typifies the very best and highest ethos of the GAI.”