Brockway accelerates growth plans with new sales director

KIDDERMINSTER-based Brockway Carpets has announced the appointment of Shaun Lewis as sales director to support the company’s expansion plans.

After heading up sales at Victoria Carpets for 13 years and with a long history in the industry, Lewis brings extensive carpet retail and commercial experienceto Brockway.

Leading a 13-strong salesforce, he will be responsible for driving sales under a product development programme at Brockway in the high-end, domestic and contract flooring market sectors.

Lewis said: “This is such an exciting time in the development of the Brockway brand.  It’s a brilliant company with a huge amount of potential – some use the term ‘sleeping giant’ – and it’s one I’ve respected for many years.

“With a host of new products on the horizon, there’s a very strong development programme which I’m very much looking forward to supporting.  I’m genuinely excited to be being part of Brockway’s future.”

Managing director Charles Annable said: “His arrival is timely as we’re poised to unveil innovative new developments within our hero ranges. 

“There is a great opportunity for us to take a lead in premium quality, beautiful carpets, and further consolidate our market position as a brand leader.”

Probrand’s Peter Robbins elected on to the techUK Public Services Board

PETER Robbins, managing director of Birmingham-based technology provider Probrand, has been elected onto the Public Services Board for techUK.

Along with seven others, Robbins was voted to represent the 350 members of the techUK Public Sector programme by the members themselves.

techUK works to support the growth of the UK technology sector and the companies within it. It offers training, events and services to help its members to identify and advance innovation in the markets that represent the most significant opportunities for growth, both domestically and internationally.

Robbins takes his place on the board as a representative of the Birmingham-based company, which helps organisations with their technology needs.

Located in the Jewellery Quarter, the Probrand head office also houses sister companies, Icomm Technologies and Mercato Solutions. 

Talis UK appoints new operations director

VALVE, meter box and water fitting specialist Talis UK has appointed a new operations director to be in charge of all operations at the company’s Coleshill headquarters and main manufacturing facility in Bridgend.

Graeme Watson has more than 30 years’ experience in a diverse range of manufacturing industries including paper, composites, packaging, extrusion and cellulose fibre products.

He joins Talis UK from Excel Industries, a Welsh SME producing cellulose fibre products.

At Talis UK, Watson will be responsible for production, engineering and design, quality, warehousing, supply chain and health and safety.

He is tasked with strengthening the operations and supply chain functions, driving productivity and process improvements with the goal of developing a market leading organisation.

Crestchic beefs up business development and management teams

BURTON on Trent-based loadbank manufacturing and testing solutions firm Crestchic has made three top-level appointments, strengthening its business development across Europe and welcoming a new addition to its management team at its headquarters.

Taking up the position as business development manager rental is Pieter Basten who joins Crestchic with ten years’ experience in the industrial rental market having previously worked in finance.

Based in Amsterdam, Basten will be tasked with developing the European rental market for Crestchic outside the UK.

In his role as the new factory manager Kelby Henn joins Crestchic with a wealth of engineering and managerial experience in the electrical manufacturing industry. Originally from South Africa, Henn moved to the UK nine years ago and joins the management team in Burton on Trent.

In addition, Jim French has been hired as the new sales manager in the UK.
French arrives with more than 15 years’ experience in sales which includes working as the Ssles manager in the Middle East and Africa for Rolls-Royce Group.

Amadeus recruits general manager for regional venues

AMADEUS, the catering arm of the NEC Group, has appointed Catherine Schofield as general manager for regional venues.

The newly created role has been introduced to manage the caterers growing portfolio of regional venue catering contracts including Library of Birmingham, Cadbury World, Dudley Zoo, Stratford Riverside, and Camden – Amadeus’s first fixed site catering contract in London.

As part of the new role Schofield will oversee operations at each venue, managing profit and loss, customer service and staffing.

Before joining Amadeus, she worked for Dunelm for eight years as coffee shop area manager, during which time she managed 51 sites across the north of the UK.