Paul Browne Is Named New Chairman Of DHF

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) logo Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that its new Chairman is former ASSA ABLOY UK’s Chief Technology Officer & Business Development Director, Paul Browne.

Paul Browne Is Named New Chairman Of DHFPaul has been involved with DHF since 2006, when the issue of cylinder snapping illustrated the importance of constantly driving up product performance standards to meet the changing needs of end-users. He has been on the DHF Board since 2007, and in 2011, joined the Board of the European Hardware Association – ARGE – and was active in both European and UK standards development over the nine years that followed.

In his early career, Paul joined the Lucas Graduate scheme in the late 70s after leaving Aston University with a Business Studies degree. He worked for 17 years at Creda, the UK’s leading manufacturer of white goods, mainly in marketing roles and, finally, as General Manager of the Contracts Division. After two years in the construction industry, where he gained an invaluable insight into the need for change, Paul joined ASSA ABLOY UK as Marketing Director. There followed a number of different roles, such as General Manager of the Residential Division, before moving to senior board roles over a 21-year period.

Announcing the new position this month, DHF’s CEO, Bob Perry, said: “Paul recognises the power of driving standards for the benefit of end users, DHF members and the industry overall and understands that huge opportunities that can be unlocked from the UK post-Brexit standardisation landscape and the need to change building regulations following the Grenfell disaster. I have known Paul for more than 20 years having worked alongside him at ASSA ABLOY, and I very much look forward to sharing his drive and enthusiasm in continuing the development of DHF.”



Paul replaces long-standing Chairman, David Whitworth, in his position since 2007 and having played a major role in guiding DHF through its significant development programme over the past 10 years. In 2002, David became chairman of the Association of Building Hardware Manufacturers (ABHM) and was the driving force behind its 2004 merger with the Door & Shutter Manufacturers’ Association (DSMA) to form DHF.

David is also stepping down as Chairman of the Building Hardware Group.David is also stepping down as Chairman of the Building Hardware Group. “David has been chairman of the DHF Building Hardware Group for many years,” says Bob. “His knowledge of building hardware is unparalleled having started in the family architectural ironmongery business, Laidlaw & Thomson, in 1955. He has also been chairman of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and President of ARGE. David continues to be active in the building hardware industry primarily through his ownership of Access 2, a company specialising in security cylinders. We thank David for the outstanding contribution that he has made, both to DHF and to the building hardware industry as a whole. I am particularly pleased that David had agreed to continue as a director on the DHF Board.”

Paul Browne comments: “David has an unrivalled history of achievement and active involvement in our industry. With Bob Perry and the team, he has helped steer DHF in becoming the forward-looking and capable association that it has become today, and it is a privilege to pick up the mantle from him. Through making DHF the foremost industry authority, I believe it can lead the drive for change and improvement, creating opportunities and commercial benefit for our members, and I very much look forward to being a part of what will undoubtedly be an exciting future for the federation.”