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

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.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Lin Oxley
Lin Oxley

Lin’s career boasts thirty plus years of experience in public relations, promotional experience, sales, and marketing. Lin’s previous careers also include 14 years as The British Association of Shooting and Conservation’s (BASC) Trade Marketing Officer, making her an ideal candidate for her new role here with the GTA due to her extensive knowledge on the issues and challenges that the UK gun trade face on a daily basis.

GTA STAFF

Chrissie

Chrissie 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 8 years and is the lead on GTA projects. She is currently working on the GTA Best Practice Guides and supporting overseas exhibitions.

Aileen

Aileen 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, Aileen 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 Council

Oskar Waktare (Chairman)
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.

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.

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.

George Yannaghas
George Yannaghas

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

Gary Lamburn
Gary Lamburn

Gary is the owner of the Sportman Gun Centre

Johnny Goodhart
Johnny Goodhart

Johnny is a keen game shot and the CEO of Promatic International

Marc Newton
Marc Newton

A passionate hunter and gunmaker, Marc is the Managing Director of John Rigby and Co.

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