Interview with Josh Hughes, Managing Director of FG Library

How do the new role and responsibilities differ from your previous post as Commercial Director?
In essence, my new role encompasses the entire business. While my previous position as Commercial Director was primarily focused on pre-sales and marketing, stepping into the role of Managing Director has significantly broadened my remit. I now oversee all facets of the company, from design and administration to operations, project delivery, sales, and finance. It’s a more holistic leadership role, requiring a strategic view across departments to ensure cohesion, efficiency, and continued growth.

For example, will you be less hands-on and/or more strategic in your forward thinking?
While the role of Managing Director naturally calls for a more strategic perspective, I remain actively involved in the day-to-day operations, particularly in supporting our sales and projects teams. Having spent the past eleven years building strong relationships with clients and working closely on project delivery, it’s important to me to maintain that connection and continue offering hands-on support where it’s most valuable.

We were delighted to promote Andy Standen to Sales Director, recognising his leadership, dedication, and key contributions to our continued year-on-year success. Andy will now take on a broader role in guiding and supporting the sales team. We also recently welcomed Chris Griffin as Project Director, who brings a wealth of experience and will lead our internal project support team. These developments strengthen our leadership and ensure we continue to deliver the high standards our clients know and trust, while I focus on shaping the future direction of the business.

What are your ambitions for the company going forward?
It’s important for us to continue being recognised as one of the leaders in our industry. We’ve built a business that our clients know, trust, and rely on, but we must not stand still. The expectations placed on libraries, whether public or within education, are constantly evolving. Libraries today are no longer just places to borrow books; they are vibrant, flexible spaces that support learning, digital access, community engagement, and wellbeing.

As these environments continue to change, our ambition is to stay ahead of the curve, offering creative, practical solutions that reflect the needs of modern library users. We want to be more than just a supplier; we aim to be a market leader that helps shape the future of library spaces through innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the sector.

Alongside this, we’re committed to continuing our success journey by investing in and growing our team. Expanding our capabilities allows us to better support our clients and ensure we continue to deliver the high standards they’ve come to expect. It’s an exciting time for the business, and I’m proud to be leading it into its next chapter.

What strengths will you build on - and what, if any, areas do you intend to build up?
Our biggest strength without doubt is our team. We’re fortunate to have a group of talented, committed individuals whose passion and expertise drive everything we do. Their dedication is at the heart of our reputation and continued success.

As libraries continue to evolve, we’ll also focus on strengthening our approach to innovation, ensuring we remain responsive to the changing needs of our clients and their communities

Personally, I’m looking forward to developing my leadership further broadening my perspective and learning from those around me. I want to create an environment where the team feels supported, inspired, and empowered to grow.

How have colleagues - and customers - responded to your promotion?
The response from the team has been really positive. We’ve always worked closely together, and that sense of teamwork has continued seamlessly, it’s very much been business as usual. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive and skilled team, and I’m looking forward to what we’ll achieve together in this next chapter.

Customers have also been incredibly kind, with many sending messages of congratulations. Having worked closely with so many of them over the years, it’s been great to hear their support and know that the relationships we’ve built are valued. It’s a reminder of the trust placed in us, both as a company and as individuals.

How long have you worked for FGLL and what was your starting position?
I joined the team in 2014, starting out as a Project Coordinator. Over the years, I progressed through roles including Project Manager and General Manager, before moving into a more sales-focused position as Commercial Manager and later Commercial Director. Each role has given me valuable insight into different parts of the business, which I now carry forward into my position as Managing Director.

What made you want to be MD - and have you set yourself targets?
The company has always been close to home, my dad, Steve Hughes, founded it in 2000 alongside Bryan and Claire Daisy, so it’s been part of my life for nearly twenty-five years. Joining the business in 2014 gave me a real sense of pride in being part of a family-owned company, and I’m honoured to now be leading it forward.

Taking on the role of Managing Director is a chance for me to continue developing personally within a business I care deeply about. I’m motivated by a genuine interest in seeing the company grow and evolve, and I’ve set myself clear goals around opening up new opportunities, both in parts of the UK where we haven’t yet had the pleasure of working, and by exploring potential international projects. Alongside this, I want to ensure we remain responsive to the changing needs of our clients and the library sector as a whole.

What market insights do you bring to the role?
With over a decade of experience across project delivery, sales, and commercial leadership, I bring a broad and practical understanding of the library sector. I’ve worked with clients across public libraries, education, and specialist environments, and have also led and managed international projects, giving me valuable insight into how different sectors and regions approach their spaces.

Most importantly, I’ve developed a deep understanding of what our clients are looking for, whether it’s how they want their spaces to function, the challenges they face, or the outcomes they’re aiming to achieve. These insights will help guide our direction as we continue to innovate, explore new opportunities across the UK, and expand our reach internationally.

Anything else you want to say?
I’m incredibly proud of how far the business has come and excited about where we’re heading. We’ve got a fantastic team, strong relationships with our clients, and a clear vision for the future. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on everything we’ve achieved, exploring new opportunities, embracing innovation, and making sure we remain a trusted partner within the library sector.

And finally, a big thank you to Designing Libraries for the positive work you do in championing the sector and sharing knowledge across the community, it’s a valuable resource we’re proud to be part of.