GGF

GGF progress and ambition highlighted at Members’ Day

  • 28 Sep 2021

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) annual Members’ Day conference proved a great success. An inspirational speech by Lord Andrew Stunell (pictured above) on energy efficiency and net zero was followed by four major announcements underlining the GGF’s position as the leading trade organisation in the industry.

Due to the pandemic and following a safety first approach, for the second successive year, the event was held virtually. Attendance was strong, despite how busy the industry is at the present time.

Tony Smith, GGF President, opened proceedings which followed with presentations from John Agnew, GGF Group Managing Director on the progress of the GGF’s activities and Anda Gregory, GGF Chief Development Officer on how the GGF is increasing the industry’s market knowledge.

Key announcements

 – GGF acquires the assets of The Palmer Report to support the GGF’s ongoing research, the FENSA knowledge hub and the recently published Market Knowledge Report. (read more)

 – New GGF Apprenticeship Scheme will fund up to £4000 worth of training per apprentice – launching January 2022. (read more)

 – GGF set to launch Evolve – a new framework to help companies improve their cultures, risk management and operations to make them safer and more environment-friendly. (read more)

 – Launch of a new research report ‘Glazing – A Route to Net Zero’ commissioned by the GGF to demonstrate the importance of glazing for the Government Net Zero targets. (read more) 

Tony Smith, GGF President comments:

“It was an incredible day and I am sure all members who attended found the presentations relevant for their business and the major announcements a clear statement of intent by the GGF as the industry’s leading trade body.

“I would to thank all who attended and the GGF Staff for putting it all together. It was a truly exceptional event.”

The event, packed with information and high quality content, received positive feedback from Members who clearly found the day both informative and engaging.

With eight guest speakers and contributions from GGF senior staff on a range of topics, the day included 10 presentations and two open forums. Members asked questions of the GGF Board and Management, as well as a panel discussion on training in the industry.

Guest speaker Lord Andrew Stunell, President of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), delivered an inspirational and engaging speech on zero carbon. He comments:

“It was a pleasure to speak at GGF Members to convey the growing concern of the rising levels of CO2 and the challenges and opportunities for the construction industry on net zero.

“Two hundred years ago there were 280ppm (parts per million) of CO2 in the world’s atmosphere.  By ten years ago it was up to 389, and the figure this week is 413.  We are well past the safe threshold of 350ppm. 

“Even if the world reaches zero carbon by 2050, CO2 levels will go on rising until then, with all the impact we can already see getting worse meanwhile.  That’s why we have to take action immediately.

“We need urgent action by Government to regulate and incentivise, we need big changes in the market to make good energy performance as desirable as a new kitchen. Industry needs to make big changes, to skill up, build capacity, and work across trade and skill divides to make a joined-up offer to customers and to retrofit one million homes a year for the next twenty years.

“The choice for GGF members is; to either be subcontractors on the margin or take their place inside the biggest construction investment programme ever.”

The GGF also announced a research report titled ‘Glazing – A Route to Net Zero’, which was presented by GK Strategy (GGF’s political advisers) and will be an industry first upon its launch later this year.

On the event, John Agnew, GGF Group Managing Director comments:

“It was an excellent day and the feedback we have received has been nothing but positive. Our announcements on the new projects and initiatives were well received as were our guest speakers and presentations.

“Members’ Day once again demonstrated why the GGF continues to be the proactive leading trade organisation for the glass, glazing and fenestration industries. My thanks all who took part and attended.”

Anda Gregory, GGF Chief Development Officer (pictured below), adds:

“I was pleased to provide an update on the GGF’s new research programme and the also to announce the acquisition of the assets of the Palmer Report.

“Aligned with the re-launch of the FENSA knowledge hub and much more activity in this area the GGF will be the go-to place for the industry’s market knowledge, trends and insights.”

GGF

As well as net zero, training and market intelligence, the range of topics covered included changes to building regulations in the parts relating to energy efficiency, ventilation, fire safety, security, health, safety and environment plus a special presentation by Mark Oliver of Cambridgeshire Trading Standards on Assured Advice from a Primary Authority Partnership. 

The GGF would like to thank the following guest speakers for contributing to Members’ Day 2021

 – Lord Andrew Stunell
 – Joe Cormack, Scott Dodsworth and Jamie Cater from GK Strategy
 – Sharon Alderton of Total Support Training
 – Greg O’Donoghue (Home Improvement Consultant and Trainer)
 – Ian Smith, Kickstart (Department of Work and Pensions)
 – John Ogilvie, Ambassador for Building our Skills
 – Mark Oliver, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards

In the coming months, the GGF will be making more announcements on; the progress of its multiple projects being created to benefit the GGF Membership and the industry as well as the developments from dialogue with the Government on issues impacting the industry.

To find out more about the GGF’s latest announcements and projects please visit the GGF website.

Contact:

Glass and Glazing Federation
40 Rushworth Street
London
SE1 0RB
LONDON

t: 0207 939 9101

Visit the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) website

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Mitsubishi Electric

Mitsubishi Electric: 8 out of 10 homeowners still using gas

UK consumers still overwhelmingly rely on carbon-intensive home heating systems, and 79% use a gas boiler. Just 4% of homeowners use an air-source heat pump in their homes – all according to a new survey from Mitsubishi Electric and Censuswide.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Facility Management & Building Services, Heating Systems, Controls and Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Innovations & New Products, Pipes & Fittings, Plumbing, Publications, Research & Materials Testing, Retrofit & Renovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency

Breathing Buildings
Recofloor

Recofloor celebrates 15 years of vinyl recycling success

Leading vinyl take back scheme, Recofloor, has been celebrating 15 years of successful recycling. Launched in 2009 as a collaborative initiated by manufacturers Altro and Polyflor, Recofloor collects both offcuts and uplifted vinyl for recycling.

Posted in Articles, Awards, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Floors, Site Preparation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Waste Management & Recycling

Purplex

Purplex Founder & MD on the power of specialist marketing

Andrew Scott, MD of construction-focused, full-service agency Purplex, explains how deep industry expertise and offering tailored campaigns outperforms one-size-fits-all approaches every time.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Information Technology, Innovations & New Products, Research & Materials Testing