The search for a new Director of the Gun Trade Association is underway. There is likely to be no shortage of candidates, not the least because trade associations have a reputation for attracting those who are seeking a cushy billet as they the surf the downward slope toward final retirement along with a handy stipend with which to supplement their pension. The received wisdom likely to guide any final decision is that the successor to John Batley should be drawn from the ranks of the shooting business, the argument likely being that the complexities of regulation governing the shooting trade and the necessity of being able to discuss the mechanics of the industry from a position of, if not direct experience, then certainly easy familiarity, are essential. But just how essential are they?
One of John Batley’s key strengths is his bureaucratic turn of mind. The regulation governing the manufacture, storage and supply of shooting equipment is detailed and subject to regular revision. In this regard Batley has been a master of that detail and many GTA members have reason to be thankful to him for that. However, it did not go unnoticed during his tenure that when it came to that most important word ‘trade’, the GTA’s approach under Batley’s leadership has been nothing short of sclerotic. Neither has it gone unremarked that when Batley took up the post the staffing of the GTA comprised of him and two part timers. At the last count the payroll numbers comprised 4 full time staff. When measured against the modest growth in membership over the past two decades and the absence of business initiatives during the same period, the tributes (though obviously heartfelt and sincere) paid to Batley’s hard work become a little difficult to understand.
To see what a driven and dynamic leader can do for a trade association, the GTA Council might do well to look at the UK outdoor industry. Five years ago its governing body, the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) was moribund. Membership was below 130 businesses, it was in deficit and its trade show had closed. Appointing a director*, Andrew Denton, the new incumbent set about restoring the OIA’s fortunes. By forming partnerships with other likeminded bodies in the sports and recreational arenas and making contacts at ministerial level in central Government, Denton put the OIA at the centre of the world of outdoor recreation. Within 18 months’ membership had doubled and last year for the first time outdoor pursuits were identified as a specific sector by Sport England, thereby benefiting from an allocation of funds from the body’s £350+ million budget. This year it took over the running of the principle UK outdoor trade show. Interestingly, whilst the OIA retains the services of an agency to handle membership and PR, Denton is its only full time employee.
It is doubtful that that GTA Council will grasp the mettle and look beyond the industry for a new leader. The reason for thinking this is the tendency for such bodies to favour those cast in their own image. The Chairman of the GTA is Edward King who, along with being CEO of the modest sized shooting distributor ASI, has gone on record as describing John Batley as his “best friend”. Touching though that is, it also hints at a chummy cosiness unlikely to foster, nor welcome, change.
*With due acknowledgement to the fact that he came from within the industry