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OIA appoints Frank Bennett as new chairman
Following Mark Held’s decision to stand down as chairman of the OIA, the association has confirmed that the position will now be occupied by Frank Bennett, sales & marketing director of outdoor distributor, Lyon Equipment.
Held, who agreed to take on the role of Chairman for one year only has, during his 15 months at the helm of the Outdoor Industries Association, firmly grasped the nettle of trade show dates with the OIA’s main show now taking place in early July. Roger Southcott, OIA’s Director, said "He has set us on a firm course and one which means we have the opportunity to bring our trade show back up in size and stature. The OIA needs to focus on its core business and ensure that it remains a relevant, pro-active association for its membership."
Commenting on his decision to step down, Held said, "The last few years have not been easy for the OIA, but I am confident that the Association is on the right path to ensure its relevance and value to the UK outdoor industry remains high. Handing over the reins to Frank is a pleasure, and his mix of UK experience and common sense will serve the association well. I will remain on the OIA Council and will continue to be involved albeit in a less prominent role"
Frank Bennett has worked in the outdoor trade for many years and brings with him a wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts which make him well placed to guide the OIA through these next months and years. As he has moved from being Treasurer, this role has been filled by Darrell Laxton of Sub Zero Ltd.
Bennett told SGB Outdoor that his key aspiration for the association was to increase the awareness and thereby membership level of retailers. “The OIA is not just about suppliers, it is a trade association working for and on behalf of the entire trade. We are therefore focussing our attentions on increasing the retailer membership, highlighting the real benefits becoming a member can be.”
Continuing he said, “The more members we gain from within the trade, the stronger our voice in Government will be. At the OIA we have recognised that we need to change the retailer conception that the association is a ‘members club’ and that we are all on the same team, trying to support one another.”
“We accept it won’t be an easy task, but the committee has already begun discussing a variety of initiatives to raise both the profile and increase the awareness of the association and that of its flagship event outdoorpreview.”
Bennett also confirmed that the news of the Stag Buying Group diversifiying into the outdor arena didn’t pose a threat to the work of the OIA, and that he had already had a brief meeting with the group to explore the possibility of working together. “As a commercial organisation, The Stage Buying Group offers totally different services to that of the OIA,” he concluded.
