Speciality and agricultural tyre manufacturer GRI has appointed Barry Guildford as its new global commercial director (GCD). The appointment bolsters the company’s increasingly international leadership team as the Sri Lanka based company proceeds with its global growth strategy. Guildford arrives with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in strategic leadership and sales management roles within the tyre industry over the last 23 years. He has held a variety of leadership positions within Continental, most recently as head of region Northeast Europe & head of sales ContiTrade. He joined GRI officially on 1 March. GRI has made significant strides in integrating sustainable materials in its flagship tyres in the last year, and demonstrated its leading sustainability position and expanding manufacturing base in Sri Lanka to Tyres & Accessories – see Tyrepress next week for more details.