The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has appointed Neil Fisher as its new director.

Mr Fisher’s career has over 20 years of senior management experience in education, training and membership organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the UK and internationally.

His most recent role was director of business development at NCC Resources, a commercial learning development organisation, where he was involved in developing and managing in-house and external courses in the UK and Europe.

His experience is particularly relevant to the Guild, which has been providing an education, qualification and CPD programme for people who work in and around the architectural ironmongery industry since 1961.

Learners on the GAI education programme in 2015/16 have come from 27 different countries, with 47% of them based outside the UK. Particularly high numbers of qualifications have been noted this year from South Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong.

One of Mr Fisher’s first duties will be the presentation of the GAI’s Education Awards on 2 November. He takes over the GAI’s most senior executive role from Gary Amer who had led the GAI for the last nine years.

Maria Powell, president of the GAI, said: “Mr Fisher’s expertise will be really good for the Guild in our bid to expand our education reach and our portfolio of education products. With a strong track record of leading membership organisations too, we believe he will help drive our business plan forward, as well as creating enhanced value for GAI members.

“Mr Fisher also has direct experience in many of the international markets in which we actively engage through both our Institute of Architectural Ironmongers branches and through students taking our diploma course. He joins us at a very exciting time.”