Jo Uddin
Committee Member:
JO UDDIN
Position and How long on committee: newly elected
Wholesaler, Manufacturer or retailer/decorator:
Retailer / Decorator
Family:
Partner – Marc P Summers – 2 Children, Samir age 14 and Jasra age 10, Rabbit called Boots!
Home location:
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Hobbies/interests:
Reading, Photography, Art & Design, Shopping and Eating Chocolate!!
Before I entered the balloon industry:
Store Merchandiser and Window dresser for Selfridges, Laura Ashley, Principles and Liz Claiborne,
Length of time in the industry:
10 years
Industry qualifications:
QBN & CBA
City & Guilds 7722, 7822, 7922
City and guilds 7407 Teacher Training
Awards Gained
3rd - Large sculpture- International Party Show 2002, 2nd Centrepiece design NABAS 2002,
2nd Non Round sculpture - International Party Show 2003, 1st Large sculpture- International Party Show 2004, 1st Delivery design - International Party Show 2004, 2nd Table Centrepiece Design - International Party Show 2005, 3rd Large Sculpture - International Party Show 2006, 1st Large Sculpture - International Party Show 2007, 1st place centrepiece at the International Party Show 2008, 1st place in visual merchandising at the International Party Show 2008, 3rd place Delivery design at the International Party Show 2008, 3rd place Large Sculpture at the International Party Show 2008, 1st place centrepiece design NABAS 2008 and the prestigious title of Balloon Decorator of the year in both 2004 & 2008.
City & Guilds 7722, 7822, 7922
City and guilds 7407 Teacher Training
Awards Gained
3rd - Large sculpture- International Party Show 2002, 2nd Centrepiece design NABAS 2002,
2nd Non Round sculpture - International Party Show 2003, 1st Large sculpture- International Party Show 2004, 1st Delivery design - International Party Show 2004, 2nd Table Centrepiece Design - International Party Show 2005, 3rd Large Sculpture - International Party Show 2006, 1st Large Sculpture - International Party Show 2007, 1st place centrepiece at the International Party Show 2008, 1st place in visual merchandising at the International Party Show 2008, 3rd place Delivery design at the International Party Show 2008, 3rd place Large Sculpture at the International Party Show 2008, 1st place centrepiece design NABAS 2008 and the prestigious title of Balloon Decorator of the year in both 2004 & 2008.
Where do I see myself in 5 years time:
Definitely still training others to be professional balloon artists – I aim to be offering more advanced courses such as sculpture design etc… aimed at inspiring not only those new to our industry but also to those already working but who need more ideas!
Why did I decide to stand for the NABAS Committee and what can I offer the membership:
Because I believe I can help to push education forward in our industry. My experience as a Balloon training Instructor and my knowledge of training through both the City & Guilds courses and as a NABAS approved instructor allow me to offer my knowledge for the good of NABAS.
How would I like to see NABAS develop:
I feel that NABAS needs to move forward – we need to work on incentives to encourage new members to join and old members to return. As an industry we need to move forward to cope with changing times. We need to see our association grow stronger and become more than just an easy way of acquiring cheap insurance, NABAS should be pushing forwards the education standards within our industry.