Meet the Team
GTA strategic direction comes from the Council. Day to day activity is provided by the Director and the Secretariat.
The Council
Oskar Waktare
CHAIRMAN
Oskar has been in the gun trade since 1996 with GMK Ltd, importers of the Beretta Group of products. He joined the GTA Council in 2015, becoming Chairman in July 2018.
Sam Macarthur
Finance and Policy Committee
Sam is the Managing Director of Viking Arms, a company that has been active in the British gun trade for over 50 years. Before joining the gun trade 18 years ago, Sam was a practicing barrister in London.
Edward King
Finance and Policy Committee
Edward officially joined the gun trade in 1987, but had been immersed in the family business most of his life. He served on the GTA Council for some 20 years, including time as Chairman. His career in the trade has included stints at BSA Guns, Holland and Holland and a lifetime running ASI.
David Stapley
Managing Director of International Sports Brands Ltd (ISB) David has been a council member since 2008.
Gary Lamburn
Gary is the owner of the Sportman Gun Centre
Johnny Goodhart
Johnny is a keen game shot and the CEO of CCI International
Marc Newton
A passionate hunter and gunmaker, Marc is the Managing Director of John Rigby and Co.
Paul James
Paul is the Managing director of Gamebore Cartridge Co Ltd.
Claire West
Claire is the Managing Director/Owner of Air Arms. She is very passionate about the sport and community they serve and continually looks at new and innovative ways to evolve her products and business.
Simon Barr
Simon is the CEO of Time Well Spent a large media group specialising in shooting and field sports publications. The Group includes titles such as Gun Trade Insider, Fieldsports Journal, Airgun World and Gun Mart.
Sean O'Driscoll
Sean is the Managing Director of John Rothery Wholesale. Sean has a wealth of experience within the shooting trade, previously as managing director of publishing company David Hall Publishing—where he also ran the Tackle & Guns trade magazine and Tackle & Guns Trade Show for more than 20 years.
Rebecca Draper
Rebecca has been with Drapers Gun Centre Ltd since 2010 and has worked her up to Company Secretary and Director. She brings expertise in retail and airguns to the Council.
The Staff
Simon has been the Executive Director since 2018. He previously served in the Army, speicialising in gun systems and has experience of being a RFD for 25 years. He conducts the GTA's external engagement with the government, law enforcement and other bodies.
Stephen is the Executive Director (Designate). He comes to the GTA in March 2025 with a wealth of experience in communication and operating at senior governmental levels.
Paul Green - Technical Advisor
Paul has been in the Army, defence industry and an RFD for over forty years and has qualifications in Management, Armourer and in smalls arms & munitions design.
Paul provides a wide range of support to the organisation, including technical guidance, publications, and delivering our training courses.
Email: [email protected]
Elaine Gallen - Office Manager
Elaine joined the GTA in January 2024 as Office Manager. She has over 25 years of Administration experience and is the first point of call for helping members with membership topics.
In her spare time Elaine is a passionate water-skier and wakeboarder.
Email: [email protected]
