FACE TO FACE
The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper
THIS MONTH: Chris Beedel, Head of Government Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations, Glass & Glazing Federation Glass News talks to Chris Beedel about his current role within the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) and how ongoing discussions with Government are promoting positive changes for our industry.
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU... Where were you born and live, currently? I was born in Hitchin, a lovely market town in Hertfordshire, but I now live a few miles away in Welwyn. I’ve been lucky to live in different places such as the South of France and throughout my working life I’ve travelled extensively including working in North America and Japan.
Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled? At school I was very interested in maths and mechanics. I then studied mechanical engineering before transferring to business and finance and marketing
Your favourite sports or interests? I’m a regular tennis player at my local club and have a respectable time for a 5k run. I also recently moved to a house that needs a complete renovation, including windows and doors!
Someone or something that inspires you? I’m inspired by the unsung heroes that just get on with it. This was never more evident than over the last 2 years where we rallied around to help each other out during a very difficult time. Volunteering is so important and I did some at my local vaccination centre where I met some amazing, selfless individuals.
The temptation you can’t resist? That would have to be fruit pastilles.
YOUR CAREER... When and how did you join this industry? I joined in 2017 after working in the electrical sector as External Affairs Director for a competent person scheme. I’ve been in the regulatory and compliance roles for most of my working life.
Your job title – ‘Head of Government Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations’ is impressive. Can you describe the job you do in 25 words? My role is to promote our industry widely to ensure that all stakeholders see the opportunities and benefits that glazing can offer.
I believe this is a relatively new role within the GGF: What does this bring to the GGF and its members of course, compared to previous arrangements?
In this role I’m collaborating with other leading industry bodies and associations to develop reports and publications that showcase how the glazing industry can solve complex issues such as meeting Net Zero targets, assisting with healthy homes as well as safety and security. Windows and doors installed pre 2002 are vastly different to those manufactured and installed today and we must dispel the myth that all double glazing is the same regardless of product specification or when it was installed.
Can you describe how the liaison with Government departments works, the sort of things that are discussed and the nature of the relationships with civil servants and politicians? It is important to work with the government departments and to provide good factual data on which they can base future consultations and requirements. The work covers Building Regulations, High Rise Buildings and energy efficiency across many departments and officials. Meetings such as with Lee Rowley MP, who is the Undersecretary of State for construction, was important at the start of the National Apprentice week to showcase the GGF’s Skilled Pathways scheme. The GGF was delighted when Bob Blackman MP agreed to support the first of its kind publication; ‘Glazing: The Route to Net Zero’, which launched in December 2021 and set out how the industry can help Government to achieve its ambitious targets.
Have you and the GGF enjoyed any notable achievements as a result of your dialogue with the government? Yes, we are starting to have some great conversations and an amendment will soon be made to the Approved Document L to allow non-standard doors to be calculated based on our input.
‘Stakeholder Relations’: Can you expand on what this means please? Our industry is made up of system houses, fabricators and installers but there are many more stakeholders that we need to interact with. An example would be the fire and rescue authorities on the forthcoming consultation for Approved Document Q. We are also talking to many regulators such as the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), energy charities and influencers to make sure that our voice is heard.
AND YOUR FUTURE... What are your goals for developing specific membership of the GGF, and how does this balance against the other GGF Group organisations, such as FENSA? I’m delighted to be working with Ben Wallace the GGF’s the newly appointed Head of Group Membership. Ben and his team have some exciting new ideas which are being developed and these will complement not only the GGF members but also the group companies such as FENSA.
Do you believe that perception and reality of the GGF will be any different in 10 years’ time, from how it is today? The GGF is an excellent organisation to work for and as it has represented the industry for over 45 years it has vast knowledge and information about the industry. I believe that we will continue to build on the positive relationships that GGF has with Government and stakeholders as we head towards our 50th year of industry representation.
If you would like to appear in ‘Face to Face’, or would like to nominate someone else to be featured, simply email chris@glassnews.co.uk. 50
July 2022 | www.glassnews.co.uk
