Merry Christmas

Best wishes to all those who are associated with the GA in any way.

Thanks to all those who have read any of the posts on the blog so far....

Happy holidays to all those who work at 160 Solly Street. Solly Street is now closed until the 4th of January for a well-earned Christmas break.

Thanks as always to all those who serve on GA Committees and SIGs and work to support the GA Branches and other activity.

Merry Christmas to fellow Trustees.

And finally, thanks to all those former GA Presidents who have helped in any way with the creation of this blog so far, and with the draft posts which are waiting to appear through 2021.

Image: Alan Parkinson - shared under CC license - Snow in Sheffield, January 2010, and my car in the Solly Street Car Park - it has all changed now....

This blog will be back in 2021, with the next President: 1994: Professor Tony Binns to kick us off...

Richard Gill

Updated January 2021

Richard Gill retired at the end of  December 2020 as the GA's Business Manager. 

For as long as I have been involved with the GA, Richard has been working at Solly St. He has supported the Association in developing systems which have allowed the GA to weather the Covid storm far better than many other similar charities and businesses have.

The GA has always needed people with some business acumen to keep a steady hand on finances and cashflow. People like Alice Garnett were very good at keeping down costs and negotiating favourable terms for rent etc. for the Association and showing financial prudence.

When I worked for the GA, I regularly sought Richard's advice as his knowledge of the Association went far beyond the financial aspects of his job. He has what Bob Digby described as 'nous', and knows the GA inside out, and always offers sage advice.

Covid-19 delayed Richard's retirement, but also provided a final 'test' for the systems that he had put in place over the previous years. He kindly offered to stay on to help his successor settle in, for which the Trustees have been particularly grateful.

Wishing Richard a long and healthy retirement.