James was the BBSA’s president from 2018 until 2020. He oversaw the association’s centenary year in 2019 and was president when the BBSA dealt with two significant challenges – the Covid pandemic and a High Court case where the BBSA challenged a ban on the shading of tall buildings.

James was instrumental in helping the BBSA prepare evidence for the case. The BBSA won and the UK’s building regulations were changed.

Paul began his career at W Avery, in London, before joining his father Cliff at VBM in the Midlands, which Cliff had acquired from its original owner George Healey. 

Paul secured a contract to supply Habitat with made-to-measure wood blinds. The separate company he originally set up for this purpose, Design Line, became successful so quickly it was merged into VBM, which went on to supply not only Habitat but also John Lewis, House of Fraser and many other high street brands. 

Under Paul’s stewardship, VBM also pioneered the plantation shutters market in the UK, with one of his biggest customers being Rob James of Plantation Shutters, later S:CRAFT. 

Paul and his father sold VBM to Hunter Douglas in 1999, though Paul stayed on to head up marketing and sales for five years before turning consultant. 

Among the first customers for his industry expertise was a fledgling internet business called Blinds2go, and Paul quickly became a partner in the pioneering company.  

After unprecedented growth, Blinds2go was also sold to HD. Paul was subsequently approached by HD’s new owners, 3G Capital, to take up the role of global CEO of e-commerce. 

Inducting Paul into the Hall of Fame, the BBSA’s Andrew Chalk said: “Paul has had an extraordinary career, pioneering new products which are now commonplace and developing routes to market which have been hugely successful. His impact on our industry has been immense.” 

Dave Bush’s career in our industry began  in 1975 at Averys where the technical performance of shading was at the top of the agenda even then.

He has served on the managing committee of the BBSA for 36 years and been the chair of the technical working group for more 25 years.

He has also been the chair of the London and south-east region and was honorary president in 2018.

Dave has also represented the BBSA on government committees, most recently on overheating in homes, and has provided expert advice on the development of standards.

His help with the BBSA’s 2019 court case against the government over the banning of external shading was invaluable.

Outside of the BBSA, Dave is a director of the European Solar Shading Organisation and is also a member of its technical committee.

And he’s spent more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time helping create an online training course for ES-SO and the BBSA too.

Through his commitment to the BBSA and ES-SO, Dave has helped boost the understanding of the benefits of solar shading – not only in our industry but among architects, specifiers, regulators and within government.

Steve Birtles joined P J McKay in 1978 as an area salesman and was soon offered a partnership.

Shortly afterwards, Louvolite acquired the sales team and Steve found himself on the board as the sales and marketing director. He later became CEO.

Steve has just completed 38 years on the BBSA’s managing committee, making him the longest serving member and has worked on the association’s Openings magazine and technical working groups for many years and recently joined the promotions working group.

He also founded the child safety working group in 2008 and has been a BBSA director for the past five years.

Andrew joined T F Samson as sales and marketing director in 1998. He became managing director in 2004.

In 2007, Andrew set up his own marketing consultancy and began doing some consultancy work for the BBSA including on the BBSA’s exhibition.

Meanwhile, the BBSA had decided to move on from its secretariat service provider and, in 2009, Andrew was asked to steady the ship on an interim basis.

Thirteen years later, Andrew and his wife Wendy have been joined by six colleagues in providing the service for the BBSA.

Reginald Allsopp founded a small business manufacturing vertical blinds business in 1969. That business ultimately became Louvolite.

Bob McNeil co-founded Eclipse Blinds in the early 1970s.

Jim McNeil co-founded Eclipse Blinds in the early 1970s.

Tony Hillary founded Hillary’s Blinds in 1971.

Thomas W. Tidmarsh is one of only a handful of BBSA presidents to have served in the role more than once.

He became the inaugural president of the association in 1919 and took up the role for a second time in 1922.

Image: Martin Dibben, SHY UK

Ken helped transform the blind and shutter industry in the 1970s by developing smaller UK manufacturing businesses through a new business model which is still followed today.

For the past 24 years he has worked tirelessly on European standards. His focus and drive on child safety has been a significant contributor to the BBSA’s Make it Safe campaign.

He has worked as a business advisor to hundreds of small businesses through various government schemes and his down-to-earth commercial acumen is as relevant today as it was when he was running his own business.

Mike served as the BBSA’s president from 2002 – 2004 and is currently the association’s honorary treasurer.

One of the few BBSA presidents to serve in the role more than once.

Nigel was president from 1991 – 1992, and again in 1997.

He was the managing director of James Robertshaw for nearly 40 years.

Peter spent more than 40 years as a volunteer on the BBSA’s managing committee.

After learning the ropes at Deans of Putney, Peter founded Devon and Torbay Sunblinds in 1969, joining the BBSA one year later.

In 1971 he was elected to the BBSA’s managing committee, becoming president in 1983 and again in 2000.