GTA strategic direction comes from the Council made up of notable members of the Trade. Day to day activity is provided by the Director and the Secretariat in Tewkesbury.

The Council

Oskar Waktare
Oskar Waktare

Chairman Oskar has been in the gun trade since 1996 with GMK Ltd, importers of the Beretta Group of products. He joined the GTA Council in 2015, becoming Chairman in July 2018.

Ian Harford
Ian Harford

Honorary Treasurer
Ian is an experienced international hunter and passionate outdoorsman. He is an ambassador for a number of leading hunting brands, as well as running Countryman Fairs. Ian has strong relationships throughout the international Gun Trade and shooting community.

Edward King
Edward King

Edward officially joined the gun trade in 1987, but had been immersed in the family business most of his life. He served on the GTA Council for some 20 years, including time as Chairman. His career in the trade has included stints at BSA Guns, Holland and Holland and a lifetime running ASI.

David Stapley
David Stapley

Managing Director of International Sports Brands Ltd (ISB) who are the agents for Browning International for UK and Ireland Also Country Manager for Browning International. David has represented Browning and been a council member since 2008.

David Bontoft
David Bontoft

David is the Managing Director of The Hull Cartridge Company. He is a passionate shot developing not only great cartridges but also the Weihrauch range of rifles in UK.

Sam Macarthur
Sam Macarthur

Sam is the Managing Director of Viking Arms, a company that has been active in the British gun trade for over 50 years. Before joining the gun trade 18 years ago, Sam was a practicing barrister in London.

Zoran Nikacevic
Zoran Nikacevic

Zoran is the proprietor of Henry Krank. He has spent a lifetime shooting and building his business. Hugely knowledgeable about guns and the Trade, he has been a Council member since 1998.

Conrad Cross
Conrad Cross

The Cross Family were gunmakers in Loveday St. Birmingham 1812. Conrad is the 5th generation and was proprietor of G. Bate Gunmakers of Birmingham. Guardian of the Birmingham Proof House since 1966 & Council of GTA since 1970. Trustee Gun and Allied Benevolent Society.

Peter Martineau
Peter Martineau

Peter is an authority on airguns. He is the Secretary of the Airgun Manufacturers and Trade Association and works for John Knibbs International. Working in a gunshop dealing directly with customers he provides a vital input from the front line.

Russell Wilkin
Russell Wilkin

Russell is a Director of Holland and Holland. He has a long and distinguished career in the technical field and is a world authority on design and manufacture of rifles and shotguns.

David Penn
David Penn

David is the Secretary of the British Shooting Sports Council and an acknowledged expert in the field of historic weapons, particularly the 19th and early 20th Centuries. He is former Keeper of Exhibits & Firearms at the Imperial War Museum.

George Yannaghas
George Yannaghas

George is a trader and expert in Rare, Vintage, Collectable and Antique Classic Firearms and Accessories

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Simon West OBE
Simon West OBE

Simon is the Executive Director of the GTA and GTA Exhibitions Ltd. He joined the GTA in 2018 after a career in the Army specialising in gun technology, procurement and strategic communication. He has also run his own RFD business since 1997 making live firing cannon. Simon represents the Trade and Members' interests in the political and regulatory environments. He deals with legal queries and plans the Association's activities to protect and promote the Trade.

GTA STAFF

Graham

Graham is the Membership Secretary and has been a cornerstone of the Association since 2002. He is a wealth of knowledge on the wider trade and is well known to members as their first port of call when seeking advice. He is the lead for membership benefits and is the main interface with insurance, transport and export control organisations.

Christine

Christine is the Executive Assistant. She runs the Office and is responsible for coordination with other shooting organisations and being the interface to the GTA Council. She has served the Association for 6 years and is the lead on GTA projects. She is currently working on the GTA Best Practice Guides and supporting overseas exhibitions.

Fiona

Fiona is the Membership Administrator. When you phone the GTA it is usually Fiona who answers the phone. She deals with the day to day communication from the Membership. She manages the membership application process and often goes above and beyond to help members with their queries.

Stephanie

Stephanie is the GTA Bookkeeper and keeps everyone on the straight and narrow. She assists the Director with running the budget, organising membership subscriptions, direct debits and invoicing and is a wealth of advice on all things financial. For all invoicing and payment queries, Stephanie is your point of contact.

Ben

Ben has recently joined the GTA as our Marketing and Communications Officer. His role consists of managing the association's marketing channels, creating content to be distributed to our members, and attending trade shows. Please contact Ben for any questions regarding marketing within the gun trade.

THE GTA REPRESENTS A WIDE RANGE OF ORGANISATIONS THAT OPERATE IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRIES.