Meet the new Guild Chairman, Shuajb Berisha FBHI, who was elected at the AGM on 18 May 2023.

Shuajb takes over from retiring Chairman, Paul Roberson FBHI, who has held the post for four years. Vice Chairman Robert Ball FBHI is succeeded by incoming Vice Chairman, Chris Papworth MBHI.

Shuajb, who has been a member of the Guild for 28 years and a Director since 2016, is looking forward to his term of office.

‘It is a real honour for me to become Chairman of the Guild and I am looking forward to meeting our members and students,’ he said. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for all his hard work over the last four years. He will be a very hard act to follow.’

Shuajb was born in Kosovo in 1967, and worked in one of the City’s watch repair shop before arriving in the UK in 1992. His first job was with Citizen Watch UK and he later worked at Seiko in Maidenhead and for Gucci UK. In 2013, he opened his own business Ora Watch UK in Wokingham, which is still running successfully today.

Horology certainly runs in the family and Shuajb’s son Art has completed his WOSTEP training.

Paul Roberson added: ‘I’m delighted to hand over the Guild’s chairmanship to Shuajb in the knowledge that it is in very safe hands. He has been in the trade for over 40 years and will bring much to the role.’

‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Board and all the Guild members for their support. It has been a real pleasure to be able to represent our organisation and see it grow and flourish.’