Phone: 01484 453399
Meet the Team at Westin Drives
Group Managing Director
Ian Sheppard
Ian is Managing Director of the Westin Group of companies: Westin Drives, Westin Engineering, Westin Pumps and Westin the cooker hoods specialist. Previously, Ian held senior finance and operational roles within large retail groups. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and daughter.
Operations Director
Fraser Lynch B.Eng
Fraser started with us in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. He spent several years learning to repair electro-mechanical equipment while completing his advanced modern apprenticeship. He then became a trainee electrical engineer carrying out site services and now, as Operations Director, he has responsibility for the workshop, logistics technical services and internal sales. Outside work, Fraser enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura and daughter, Iona, exploring Yorkshire pubs and playing tennis.​
Technical Director
Adam Daffern B.Eng
Ideas of a career in engineering arose when Adam was studying for A-levels. An interest in IT proved the spur and he joined our team with a BTEC and two years' experience in Halifax as a maintenance engineer. Since then he has completed an HNC in electric and electronic engineering, and graduated with a first-class degree in engineering management, supported by the company. Outside work, he enjoys playing football, and tennis.
Group Development Manager
Zak Waddington
After High School, Zak was awarded an engineering apprenticeship during which he took a four-year engineering course at Kirklees College, achieving a Level 4 qualification. It involved units in maths, mechanical and electrical principles and material sciences This practical background proved invaluable for a step into sales and projects as a Technical Engineer/ Sales Manager with a large chemical firm. We welcome him to the Group in a role of similar responsibilities. Zak is engaged and has a young daughter and in his spare time he enjoys Padel and playing football for Shelley FC.
Service Co-ordinator
Jonathan Hames
Jonathan hails from Nottingham and comes to us with a background – by study and trade – in sports science. Engineering then called nine years ago and he found employment in a bearings company. Having started there as a driver, his effort and aptitude were quickly rewarded by a move into sales.
A physical move to West Yorkshire brought him eventually to Westin Drives. His philosophy of work? 'You've got to believe in what you are doing and love what you are doing.
Service Manager
Michael Charlesworth
Michael's career began with a four-year apprenticeship at Sellers in Huddersfield, which included training in textile and electrical engineering at KITS.
His studies also took him to the town's Technical College and the former Polytechnic. It all provided a springboard to life as a service engineer, taking him around the world from factories to oil rigs. For 20 years, he specialised in gas detection and he now brings this wealth of experience to Westin Drives. Settled in Holmfirth, he enjoys family, walking and gardening.​​​​
​Repair Engineer
Wayne Smith
Wayne has been with us since 2004 and is highly skilled in repairing and rewinding a wide range of equipment. He also plays an important role in training and mentoring our apprentices.
His previous experience was with DC repairs in the automotive sector, but he now turns his hand to all aspects of electro-mechanical repair. He also has responsibility for supervising the final quality inspection of workshop repairs.
Outside work, Wayne enjoys time with his wife and three children and following the varied fortunes of Huddersfield Town.
Technical Sales
Alison Mara
With a strong background in mechanical and industrial engineering, Alison brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our company. After Shelley High School, she continued studies at Huddersfield Technical College. Since then, she has built an impressive career in technical sales.
Her experience includes over 10 years at gear manufacturer Radicon Transmission, where she played a key role in export sales. Before that, she served as a spares sales advisor for an international manufacturer.
Trainee Internal Sales Engineer
Peter Woodward
Peter's career in marketing followed a degree in business and marketing at Huddersfield University. Mamas and Papas, a local company with a national brand, gave him his first job and fresh responsibilities came with other large players, including Hallmark Cards, where he was assistant product manager, and Jacuzzi. After working at a large furniture manufacturer, Peter decided on a career change and a move to Westin Drives. Married with two children, he enjoys playing Paddle and is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter.
​Apprentice Technical Services Engineer
Mika Everson
Mika joined us at 16 from Honley High School and spent two years learning workshop skills. After a spell as an apprentice maintenance engineer at a fabrics firm, he returned to our technical services department. Mika holds a Level 2 in Mechatronics and hopes to study for a Level 3 Access to HE in the same discipline.
He says: 'I'm excited to expand my knowledge of panels and site work and further my education.' Away from work he plays football for Grange Moor.
Warehousing
Philip Fleary
Born in Huddersfield, Phil's first job was in the engineering section of Hill Williams. After passing his City and Guilds in fabrication and welding, he moved on, gaining experience in sheet metal work, then in general, hydraulic and mining engineering. He came to WS Westin in 1982 for six months but stayed for 10 years, gaining a university HND in electrical and control engineering. After spells with his own business and other ventures, he returned to us where his many skills are greatly valued.
​Apprentice ​Technical Services Engineer
Oliver Wilson
Raised in Cleckheaton, Oliver went from Whitcliffe Mount School to Huddersfield New College where he took A-levels in law and games design. He was accepted to study the latter at Huddersfield University but, dissatisfied with the teaching regime during the Covid lockdown, he withdrew from the course and took a number of jobs including a spell at a doctor's surgery. He's now enjoying electro-mechanical engineering and we are supporting him during his a four-year Mechatronics course at Bradford.
Trainee Sales Engineer
Jacek Jeleniewski
After high school, Polish-born Jacek moved to Huddersfield with his parents and started studying travel and tourism at Kirklees College. His engineering skills came when he returned to mainland Europe and a job in a German shipyard. In 2021, he returned to the UK, worked in a warehouse and embarked on a business management degree course in Leeds. He came to Westin Drives as a driver before moving into technical sales. Married with a daughter, Zuzanna, he spends spare time with family or at the gym.
Apprentice Repair Engineer
Callum Moorhouse
A conversation in the pub where he was working behind the bar led by happy chance to Callum's apprenticeship. After completing three A-levels at Huddersfield New College, and undecided about a career, he took a job in the hospitality sector.
A director of Westin Drives happened to be enjoying a drink one day and during a conversation, Callum mentioned his wish to work with his hands. This resulted in an invitation to a days' trial in our workshop and to a job he clearly enjoys. Out of work he enjoys playing the guitar.
Fitter
Tom Jackson
After A-Levels, Tom began a 15-year career at David Brown, the oldest engineering firm in Huddersfield. His apprenticeship focused on wind turbine gearboxes and included study at Kirklees College which culminated in a NVQ Level 3 in mechanical engineering. A transfer to DB service and repair took him all over Europe servicing industrial earboxes. At Westin Drives, his friendly demeanour and experience are valued. In leisure time, Tom is a sports fan following in particular golf, cricket and football.
​Repair Engineer
Graham Dawson
Graham is our most experienced rewinder and although he insists he is still learning, he is renowned for his expertise and meticulous approach to work. He joined us in 1983 from a Youth Opportunities programme and recalls that he did many tasks in the workshop before he was allowed to try his hand to rewinding motors. 'In between, I learned a lit bit of everything,' he says. A rugby league fan since he played the game at school, he follows the fortunes of the Huddersfield Giants. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and supporting his local.
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