The Leading Edge

The Leading Edge

By The Guild of Architectural IronmongersBusinessScienceSocial SciencesTechnologyCareers
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The Leading Edge episodes

  • Can You Trust Product Information You’re Given?

    There is an ongoing move - driven by reform - in the construction products industry towards greater safety, accountability and transparency. Product information plays a key role. In order for products to be safely specified, fitted and used the product information linked to them needs to be accurate, trustworthy and any claims backed with evidence.

    The CCPI (Code for Construction Product Information) is leading the way in offering a licence mark that proves the quality of product information. In this episode, Amanda Long (CEO of CCPI) shares her expertise on what product information should be like and what needs to happen for standards to be raised across the industry.

    'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

    In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

    We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

    For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

    39 min
  • The Value of an Architectural Ironmonger

    Technical Director of the GAI, Douglas Masterson, joins host Rachael Bliss (CEO, GAI) to break down in detail the role - and value - of an architectural ironmonger. Discussion points include:

    • What an AI actually does and what happens if an AI is not involved in the early stages of building design
    • The hot topic of doorsets vs door assemblies and where an AI can help
    • How the Grenfell Tower Tragedy has had a huge impact on policy reform, making the AI role even more vital in safety terms
    • Why being able to demonstrate and prove competency as a registered AI is about to become more important (and how the GAI can help AI's stay up-to-date)

      •  

      'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

      In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

      We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

      For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

      32 min
    • Dame Judith Hackitt - Fireside Chat

      Dame Judith Hackitt is one of the sector's most trusted and influential voices. Her work has been key in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. After delivering a keynote at the Guild of Architectural Ironmonger's AGM and Competence Forum, Dame Judith sat with Rachael to talk in front of a live audience, who also had a chance to put their questions to her.

      Some of the topics discussed in this episode:

      • Why professional accreditation is so crucial
      • How and why previous efforts at sector-wide reform have failed
      • Why Dame Judith is watching with interest a new building safety rating scheme in Australia
      • The length of time it is taking for the sector to change
      • How a few bad operators can affect the perception of the wider industry
      • Why she is hopeful for the future
      • Her advice for professionals working in the sector to be best prepared for the future

        • 'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

        In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

        We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

        For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

        20 min
      • Award-Winning Quality (at The Riverside, Fulham FC)

        The Riverside at Fulham FC was selected as the Winner of Winners at the AI Specification Awards 2026. In this episode we get behind the scenes and find out the secrets behind the project's success.

        The project stood out for the way architectural ironmongery was used as an integral part of the overall architectural and interior design vision. Across a diverse hospitality environment, the specification responded carefully to a wide range of interior styles, balancing restraint and refinement in some spaces with bolder, more expressive detailing in others.

        Bespoke pull handles, custom locking solutions and coordinated finishes create consistency throughout the development while supporting accessibility, durability and long-term performance.

        To find out more about the project and how top-level collaboration between architect and architectural ironmonger was key... GAI CEO Rachael Bliss went to visit Fulham Riverside. After a tour, she interviewed two key players on the project:

        Tom Penny, Associate Director, Stuart Forbes Associates

        Neil Jeffery, Specification Consultant, Allgood Ltd

        This is a fascinating and instructive episode for anyone in the architectural ironmongery industry - it really reveals some key insights in how to deliver excellence.

        'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

        In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

        We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

        For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

        29 min
      • Artificial Intelligence

        In this month's episode host Rachael is joined by Alma Lundberg, AI Analyst at HID Global (part of ASSA ABLOY). A young professional, Alma quickly went from being a Masters Thesis student placed at ASSA ABLOY, to being hired into a strategic AI role in the company, such is her expertise and vision on the subject of Artificial Intelligence.

        With AI being the hot topic of conversation in all industries at the moment (bringing with it opportunities, challenges, possibility and, yes, some misunderstandings and concerns) this is the perfect moment to discuss how AI will affect the construction products industry.

        Topics discussed in this episode include...

        • A detailed and clear explanation of what AI actually is - its roots, various iterations and where it's going next in terms of capability
        • Why Alma makes the case for approaching AI with curiosity and positivity - not fear
        • The kind of AI-enabled products of the future that could appear very soon in the construction of buildings, particularly concerning biometrics and doors
        • Why Alma thinks companies that approach AI with strong compliance processes will have a competitive advantage

          • AI will affect all of our lives, careers and day-to-day work. This is a great opportunity to hear a young informed expert give an industry-specific guide to what you need to know on this most current of subjects.

          'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

          In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

          We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

          For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

          31 min
        • Construction Products Reform (with Paul Morrell OBE)

          Welcome to the first episode of 'The Leading Edge' - a new podcast from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers. 

          We start with a hugely topical and important episode. The government's 'Construction Products Reform' White Paper is currently out for consultation (until 20th May 2026) and to analyse it, we are thrilled to be joined by one of the highest profile, and most experienced figures in this area - Paul Morrell OBE (co-author of the Morrell Day Review and the government's first Chief Construction Advisor between 2009 and 2012).

          'The Leading Edge' is hosted by Rachael Bliss, CEO of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and joining her and Paul to discuss construction products reform is the GAI's own Douglas Masterson - a technical leader and trusted voice within the sector.

          Their discussion includes...

          • Why Grenfell was such an important moment and how it has instigated necessary change
          • What is in the White Paper, what isn't and where the areas of confusion and/or contention are
          • How and why you can have your say while the consultation is still open
          • The impact the changes suggested in the White Paper may have on Architectural Ironmongers, specifiers and manufacturers
          • What industry professionals can and should do now to prepare for the change that is coming

            • 'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

            In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

            We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

            For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

            35 min
          • Trailer

            Rachael Bliss, CEO of the GAI (Guild of Architectural Ironmongers) describes what's in store in new podcast 'The Leading Edge'.

            'The Leading Edge' podcast releases monthly and explores the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry.

            In each episode, we’ll bring together expert voices, share practical insights, and highlight best practice from across the sector.

            We're a new podcast looking to grow, so if you’ve enjoyed the conversation please do subscribe on your podcast platform, share with your network and leave us a review.

            For more guidance, resources, and professional development opportunities, visit the GAI website - www.gai.org.uk

            1 min

          About The Leading Edge

          From the publisher's feed

          Exploring the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping the construction products industry