CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) has announced that two new members have stepped up into leadership role...
CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) has announced that two new members have stepped up into leadership roles for the Association following the election for the new CEDIA EMEA Board of Directors at the end of last year. Christiaan Beukes from Sphere Custom Design in South Africa and Giles Sutton of James and Giles in the UK fill two HTP (Home Technology Professional) spots on the Board, which now includes representatives from Italy, UAE, South Africa and the UK.
“We were looking for two new Board members who would bring strong leadership and fresh ideas to the table,†explains Wendy Griffiths, Executive Director of CEDIA EMEA. “We have certainly achieved this with Christiaan and Giles, who both have a wealth of industry knowledge and are keen to work with the rest of the Board to support the industry by defining relevant strategy for the industry trade association. At this time, I’d like to thank our outgoing Board members, Krystian Zajac (Andrew Lucas Ltd) and Elliot Hicks (Complete Home Control) who have played a vital role on the Board for the last two years.â€
Joining Kris Hogg (Chairman), Alister Smith (Vice Chairman), Omar Hikal (Treasurer), Tom Butler, Laura Neuwirth-Lazzerini, Will Brocklebank, Hamish Neale and Gary Lewis (Immediate Past Chairman), Christiaan and Giles will serve as volunteers for a two-year period, from January 2015 until December 2016.
Christiaan is the owner of South African-based home automation company, Sphere Custom Design. Having worked in the industry for almost 10 years in the UK, Europe, and South and Southern Africa, Christiaan has a great amount of industry knowledge on an international level. He has previously supported CEDIA by sitting as Education Chairperson on the South African Committee and becoming a CEDIA certified outreach instructor and lecturer.
Christiaan Beukes describes how he’s feeling about his new role: “I certainly hope that I can step up to the role—there are some big shoes to fill! This is an amazing opportunity to give back to the greater CEDIA community all that they have given me in the past. CEDIA has played an integral role in the development of our industry here in South Africa, and I will be working hard to assist in strengthening CEDIA's core principals through outreach, education and development, and to help build out and broaden the reach of this already solid foundation laid before.
“I think here is great potential to help steer our, globally speaking, still very young, and ever-changing industry, and I am honoured, privileged and proud to have been nominated by my peers to fill such a role.â€
Giles is the Managing Director of James and Giles Ltd, an award-winning home technology and automation consultant. Giles has been involved with CEDIA for a number of years having previously sat on the membership committee and regularly provided training to architects and construction individuals on integrated home technology.
Giles Sutton describes his vision for the future direction of CEDIA: “I am delighted to have been voted onto the CEDIA Board of Directors. Having been part of a committee for many years, I now feel ready to become more actively involved with the Association. I feel strongly that the standards and professionalism of the membership are the driving force to more acceptance and recognition within the construction industry and this can be achieved with more regional educational events, technical forums and certification.
“I would also like to see the membership develop further outside of the UK, with more outreach and publicity within the EMEA region and closer ties to further and higher education establishments, encouraging more talent to join our industry.â€
The CEDIA Board of Directors defines the Association’s vision and identifies its strategic direction. It is responsible for maintaining a dialogue with members, making sure CEDIA’s strategic principles remain relevant to the industry and reflect members’ ever-evolving needs.
www.cedia.co.uk