Meet NALI's Council Members
NALI is controlled by an elected all-volunteer Council of Management of experienced launderette owners and representatives of the industry's principal supplier companies:
B. Herring - Chairman and Editor of Launderette and Cleaning WorldBruce has a long history in sales, initially selling IBM office products and later, coincidentally, commercial laundry equipment for Automations International. A brief period with Warner Howard (Coinamatic) followed after Automations was incorporated into their group which led to him joining Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems as area sales manager leading to a fruitful career of 25 years until retirement in February 2014. During this time became involved with the construction and operation of many launderettes, including his own, an interest which is undiminished to this day. This contrasted somewhat with his earlier endeavours with the then Moss Empires, learning the business of running theatres including the illustrious London Palladium followed by a brief foray into the world of rock band management and concert promotion.Bruce was elected Chairman in 2005 and is an Elected Representative of NALI direct members.
A.R. Duckworth - President and WebmasterTony’s family business was established by his parents over fifty years ago. Having worked in the Lancashire business for 25 years he is a fount of useless information about the launderette industry. He puts this to good use trying to entertain members who attend the November NoLA/NALI meetings in Manchester. Serving on the NALI Council since 1999, Tony is an Elected Representative of NoLA.
J.T. Trapp - Vice-President and TreasurerA qualified Accountant, John began his working life with Associated Liver Launderettes Ltd operating a chain of launderettes in and around Liverpool. Seeing merit in the business, he seized an opportunity to take control of the Company. John is one of the longest serving members of NALI, being an elected Council member and Treasurer for over 40 years.
J. Wayne - Life Vice-President and Chairman, Health & Safety Sub-committeeJoe built his first launderette in Harrow in 1963, subsequently forming the Cleancraft Group Ltd., with ten launderettes in NW London. He is a Chartered engineer and member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology. In 1974 Joe was a founding member of LOLA (London Owners Launderette Association), becoming its third Chairman (from 1981 to 1983 and again in 1987) and helped arrange the merger of LOLA and NALI in 1992 and was Chairman of NALI in 1992 /1993.
Joe is one of the longest serving members of the Council and has been a member of NALI’s Health & Safety Committee since 1981, becoming its Chairman in 1986.
Mrs M. Simons - Vice-ChairmanMary and her husband became members of LOLA in 1982 after purchasing their first launderette in Waterloo. Living above that first shop they purchased a second, eventually culminating in a chain of 26 shops. In 2000 they set up AGS Ltd covering all aspects of machinery supply, installation and maintenance together with the youngest of their 3 sons.
Mary has served on the Council since 2003, became Vice-Chairman in 2006 and is an Elected Representative of NALI Supplier Members.
Mrs S. GambleSharon is Managing Director of both Associated Liver Launderettes Ltd, the largest operator of launderettes in the UK and Liver Laundry Equipment Ltd, one of the principal distributors of commercial laundry equipment in the North West of England and North Wales. Sharon has been a council member since 2005 and is an Elected Representative of NALI Group Operators.
P. Morrow - Chairman, Membership & Promotions Sub-committeePeter came into the launderette business to take over the running of his family's two launderettes following his Father's death in 1990, and added a third in 2008 after several years running a commercial laundry. In 2007 he acquired the vending machine arm of Brookfords, now known as soapvendors.com.
Peter joined the Council in 2011 and was elected Chairman of the Membership and Promotions Sub-committee in 2014, and is an Elected Representative of NALI suppliers.
R. PressingerRoger entered the Launderette industry in 1969 and built the group up to 16 branches by late 70’s. He was a founding member of LOLA (London Owners Launderette Association) and became chairman of LOLA, which at that time had a membership of 1200 shops. When LOLA merged with NALI he joined the NALI Council and has chaired various sub-committees to date and is an Elected Representative of NALI direct members.
Roger served on Government working parties relating to water supply and effluent for our industry, and spearheaded a political campaign in The Commons and the House of Lords to seek prevention of effluent charges to launderettes. He has a continued involvement in the laundry industry in the capacity of Managing Director of a laundry equipment supplier.
T. Wright
Toby has been a NOLA elected member of the NALI council since 2009. He moved into the Launderette industry in 2005 after a career in London working in IT, and currently operates 4 shops in the Manchester area with his Father Guy Wright, a former council member.
S. StaffordSimon is the third generation and future CEO of SJT Stafford Ltd in Bristol which was created by his grandfather (Stephen J. T. Stafford, a previous Vice President of NALI) in 1967. He has grown up in the launderette industry gaining vast knowledge in all aspects associated with the trade, and joined his father Stephen P. Stafford (Paul), a former Chairman of NALI, in the family business after graduating as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Plymouth university. He hopes to bring a fresh new perspective and ideas to the NALI Council for many years to come.
P. StaffordPaul's father, Stephen Stafford, purchased his first launderette at Melksham, Wiltshire in 1969. Over the next fifteen years the business grew to owning 36 launderettes in the south West. Paul joined his father's business in 1981 after qualifying as a production engineer and working for Hawker Siddeley. He took a evening course in business studies, whilst working for the family business, and became Managing Director in 1985. Paul was previously on the NALI Council from 1985 to 2012, and Chairman of NALI from 1998 to 2002. With son Simon (above) he runs launderettes and residential properties in the Bristol area.
The National Association of
the Launderette Industry
Incorporating
