Alan Hawkins

Alan is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Bankers. His main career was as CEO of The British Independent Retailers Association, known to many by its former name of The British Hardware Federation. Through this he represented independent retail interests on the main boards of the British Retail Consortium and Eurocommerce.

He still maintains various interests on several boards, trusts, and pension schemes. Amongst which the most notable is his current chairmanship of the Thor Hammer Group of Companies, a specialist UK manufacturer of a large range of specialist application hammers and non-spark tools. Through his own accountancy practice he has advised many professionals on their tax affairs over the years.

Subject to ratification he will become Master of The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants in October 2023 a position he regards as both an honour and a challenge.

Alan is essentially a family man, and is married to Madeline, who he met while studying, not too hard, for a degree in Economics & Accountancy at Bristol University. He enjoys travel and trying to keep his local church financially viable, any spare time apart from grandchildren is wasted on trying to play golf and on his season ticket at Bath Rugby, wondering when the glory days will return.

“Judging is always at the heart of excellence and improving standards in our industry and publically acknowledging the hard work needed in being the best. I enjoy seeing new ideas and concepts but always have a beady eye on asking ‘will this add to the bottom line’.”