New managing director for Retford manufacturer

Sam Kirk

Retford based J-Flex has appointed Sam Kirk as its new managing director.

Sam Kirk succeed his father and founder of the company, John.

He takes up the role with immediate effect and is joined on the leadership team by Lance Bradley (commercial director), Les Shaw (operations director) and Phillip Wright (finance director).

Tim Sutton, of Fresh Growth Solutions, has been assisting Sam and John during the succession and will continue to serve as a non-executive director and mentor.

Having founded the company in 1984, John built J-Flex into a highly-regarded supplier of high performance elastomer sheetings and manufactured rubber components. The company regularly exports to over 55 countries and recently set up a joint venture for the renewable energy sector in Germany.

John, who now becomes chairman, told TheBusinessDesk.com: “I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last 34 years and have complete faith in our new leadership team to drive the company forward. I truly believe that their enthusiasm and expertise will ensure the company exceeds its desired goals and objectives. Whilst I have no plans to ‘fully retire’ just yet it is time to let my ‘younger’ colleagues take over the baton. I will now focus my time on recruiting and developing a dedicated export sales manager plus R&D, including new product development.”

Sam added: “I’m eager to build on the incredible foundations that are already in place. We are a company that has always invested – and will continue to invest – in the development of its people – all of our leadership team have worked their way up the ladder. The support of external mentors, such as Tim Sutton, has been crucial too, not only for my personal development but the development of our vision and strategy and ensuring we’re all clearly focussed on the tasks ahead.”

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