The Birmingham Assay Office is pleased to welcome five new Guardians who were duly elected at the recent Interim AGM. The Act of Parliament governing the constitution of The Birmingham Assay Office states that there must be no more than 36 Guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in Birmingham, of which not more than 9 and no less than 6 must be connected with the precious metals industry.
From the 36 Guardians, a Committee of 9 Wardens is drawn who are essentially non-executive Directors. The Guardians come from a wide range of backgrounds and are called upon to give their professional help and expertise in all aspects of business.
The Birmingham Assay Office would like to welcome as Guardians:
Sir Digby Jones
(Sir Digby served as Director-General of the CBI, the Confederation of British Industry from 2000 to 2006. He acts as Senior Advisor, President and Chairman to numerous financial and industrial companies as well as advising educational, medical and musical institutions. He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2005 New Year Honours’ List. Sir Digby is married to Pat and enjoys theatre, skiing, football, rugby and cricket and has more than a passing interest in military history).
Mr Malcolm Harbour MEP
Malcolm Harbour was elected to the European Parliament in June 1999 as a Conservative MEP for the West Midlands, UK. He is lead spokesman and Coordinator for the European Centre Right (EPP-ED) on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee. Malcolm is a leading player in Parliamentary Forums for the Automobile and Society, information technology and ceramics, as well as being the Chairman of the Conservative Technology Forum. He is married with two children and his interests include travel, cooking, choral singing and motor racing.
Mr Norman Price OBE
Norman is a senior industrialist in the Business Finance and Investment Unit of the DTI in Central Government. He is a Vice President of the EEF and a member of its Economic Policy Group. He is also a member of the CBI SME Council and CBI Tax Committee. In the West Midlands he is Deputy Chairman of Advantage West Midlands, the region’s development agency and Chairman of the Enterprise Board. He is also a director of Bede plc, a world leader in X-ray metrology for the semiconductor industry. He was awarded the OBE in the 2002 Queens Birthday Honours’ List and is an honorary fellow of Warwick University.
Mr Tim Clay
After finishing university in 1982 Tim entered the world of Financial Services and is now Executive Chairman of one of Birmingham’s leading IFA practices Clay Rogers & Partners Ltd, providing financial advice to both individual and corporate clients. He is married with 3 children and is a keen sportsman. Currently he coaches both rugby and cricket to the youth sections of Moseley FC and Harborne CC respectively.
Mr Alexander Craig
Alexander is Senior Director of bit10 ltd, based in Coventry, who design and build bespoke Internet solutions. Deloitte and Touche ranked bit10 ltd as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the Midlands. Alexander is 32 years old, a member of the CBI – West Midlands Regional Council, is married to Michelle and enjoys walking, skiing, swimming and cycling.
