18 June 2024
Tributes are being paid to a Jonathan Swift, a former Director General of the British Hardware Federation who sadly passed away this weekend.
Jonathan was Director General of BAGMA from 1973 to 1986, and became Director General of the BHF in 1986 until his retirement in 2006.
He brought BAGMA into the BHF Association in 1984 and continued in his role of Secretary General of the International Hardware Association until 2011.
Jonathan was instrumental in building the BHF into today’s BIRA, representing independent hardware and agricultural business, lobbying Government during the difficult period in the 70s and 80s when interest rates hit over 17% and inflation rose to 24% - thus making the BHF an essential campaigner for retailers during these hard times.
Jonathan will be remembered for his powerful personality and towering speeches, he had an ability to make everyone he worked with feel special and important, and always ensured that members’ needs were at the heart of all decisions.
He will be greatly missed by all his former colleagues and the members.
Latest News
-
High street and retail footfall drops sharply in June, shows new data from BRC
Bira warns falling footfall and rising costs are a “recipe for disaster” for indie retailers, calling for urgent high street support.
-
Government plan to outlaw 'upward only' rent reviews welcomed by Bira
Bira welcomes a government plan to ban upward-only rent reviews, aiming to create fairer leases for tenants including on high streets.
-
Bira supports ShopKind campaign to tackle abuse of shopworkers
The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) has welcomed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking's report "Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes".
-
Retailers welcome digital parking platform but warn against leaving cash users behind
Independent retailers have welcomed the Government's new digital parking platform, but warned it must not exclude older customers and cash users.