MEET THE TEAM AT WESTIN DRIVES
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Ian SheppardGroup Managing DirectorIan is Group Managing Director of the Westin Group of companies. Previously he had finance and operational roles within large retail groups. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and daughter.
Michael Limb BScService ManagerMichael began his career as a trainee with a company making drive systems for industrial motors and have over 35 years’ experience of field service / aftercare across a variety of business sectors. He has been a field engineer, worked in technical support and progressed into a management role several years ago.He oversees the management of the repair and mechanical engineering workshops and is working to increase efficiency by improving working and administrative procedures.
Fraser Lynch BEngTechnical ManagerFraser started with us in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. He spent several years learning to repair and rewind electro-mechanical equipment while completing his advanced modern apprenticeship. He then became a trainee electrical engineer and has been in the technical services team ever since. He now manages the department and assists Michael Limb in the technical aspects of running the company. "Working with Michael, my aim is to develop Westin Drives to exceed our customers' expectations," he says. Outside work, Fraser enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura and baby, Iona, exploring the pubs of Yorkshire and playing tennis.
Tony OrmondroydLogistics ManagerTony began at Westin Drives in 1974 as an apprentice motor technician. He has responsibility for the movement of good between our related companies and the collection and delivery of goods to customers and suppliers. Tony also has responsibility for our fleet. Outside work he enjoys fishing, spending time with his family and walking his dog to and from his local.
Richard BruffellInternal SalesWe were very pleased to welcome back Richard Bruffell to Westin Drives. He rejoined with responsibility for Internal Sales and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. His enthusiasm, expertise and extensive contacts within the industry are helping him to make a valuable contribution to our future success.
Steve OrmondroydWorkshop managerSteve started at Westin Drives in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. After living in France for a while, he decided a job in engineering was for him, so chose to move back and find a role here. He successfully introduced many new working practices as a supervisor and now has full responsibility tfor the workshop and repairs."Ultimately, our job is to get the customer up and running as soon as possible," he says. Out of working hours, Steve enjoys following Huddersfield Town FC, spending time with his family and socialising.
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Linda DrummondAdministratorLinda joined the team in 2007 and her role varies from receptionist, to purchasing admin, to attempting to keep the lads in order. She previously worked as a customer service manager for a coffee firm, so good customer service is second nature. Outside work, her main interest is in motor bikes.
Wayne SmithRepair EngineerWayne has been with us since 2004, repairing and rewinding a large range of electro-mechanical equipment. He's had a big part to play in training apprentices in the workshop. His previous experience was with DC repairs in the automotive sector but he can now turn his hand to all aspects of repair. "A recent addition to my role has been the final quality inspection. I'm enjoying this as it has made a real impact so far," he says. Outside work, Wayne enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, and following the fortunes of Huddersfield Town.
Barrie HarknessElectrical EngineerBarrie’s eight years in the Army with the Corps of British Army Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers stood in him in good stead for a career as an electrical engineer in civvies street and he praises ‘the excellent training’ he received. Outside work, he follows Bradford City, enjoys walking, cooking and the company of four dogs.
Dean SwannMechanical EngineerDean began his career as an apprentice mechanic before joining the Army where he gained further experience in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. As is well known, the training REME soldiers receive gives them the confidence to tackle any engineering problem. During his six years in the military, Dean also became a pistol shooting champion. In civilian life he has worked for a fan fabicator and as a tree surgeon. Now he's back doing what he has always loved.
Jason KilnerApprentice Repair EngineerJake came to Westin Drives for work experience while in the sixth form at Shelley College. He enjoyed his three weeks with us so much that he came back in the school holidays. After completing his A-levels – Maths, Design Technology and Applied Science – he started to look for jobs in engineering and was glad to be offered a job here. He's studying full-time at Kirklees Engineering College until December and will be on day release after then. Away from work, he's a keen cricketer and plays for Emley.
Adam DaffernApprentice Electrical EngineerThoughts of a career in engineering surfaced when Adam was studying for A-levels in biology, IT and PE at Greenhead College, Huddersfield. "I realised I didn't like biology or PE, but I did like IT – and that pushed me towards engineering,” he says. He joins our team equipped with a BTEC gained at KITS in Brighouse and two years of experience as a maintenance engineer in Halifax. He is now working for his level 4 HNC in electrical and electronic engineering. Outside work, he plays football for Shelley first team and tennis at Longley Sports Club.
Nathan KingApprentice MachinistNathan joined our expanding precision engineering department in January 2018 after completing a Level 2 mechanical engineering course at Kirklees College. His interest in engineering was sparked at The Brooksbank School, Elland. "I always like making things and I enjoyed art and graphics at school and I thought engineering would be an interesting job with good opportunities," he says. Out of work, Nathan is a keen footballer, keeping goal for Elland AFC – and the lucky lad holds a season ticket at Huddersfield Town.
Liam MedleyApprentice MachinistIt was while studying A-levels in Maths, Physics and Geography at Greenhead College, Huddersfield, that Liam felt that engineering was his real vocation. He worked for a spell at a structural engineering company but his interest in hands-on mechanical engineering was stirred when he came for an internship to Westin Drives, which quickly led to the offer of an apprenticeship. Liam is now undertaking a BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering alongside his work in our precision engineering department. Among his out-of-work interests are football and pool.
Richard PollardLabourerLocal lad Richard took a job in joinery on leaving school before moving into the care sector and working in children's homes. He then moved across to mental health, helping patients in hospital. His switch to engineering was motivated by a wish to have a more hands-on career and he hopes to progress to become a qualified machinist in our engineering department. Outside work, Richard is a keen sportsman enjoying running, squash and football – and following Huddersfield Town.
Tom MitchellMechanical FitterTom Mitchell can hardly remember a time when a spanner wasn't in his hand. Whether it was helping his dad to repair the family Land Rover or reconditioning cars to sell with his brother, the enthusiasm for all things mechanical was present from the start. So there was no difficulty in choosing a career when he left Salendine Nook High School. An apprenticeship of more than four years with a local engineering company saw him gain experience in a number of disciplines, including gear boxes and pumps. A former motocross competitor, he still loves fiddling with bikes and cars, including a 20-year-old VW Lupo which he is restoring.
Chris WainCNC MachinistEngineering has been in Chris’s system since he left school in Holmfirth at 16 and began work as an apprentice for a company that makes electrical connectors. Batch production has been his main focus and after taking courses in CNC he rose through the ranks to become production supervisor with a team of 22 at his former firm. Away from work, Chris enjoys cricket and pool – and he used to cut some serious moves on the dance floor
Josh BowkerApprentice MachinistIt was while studying for a GCSE in techology at Brooksbank School, Elland, that Josh's interest in engineering was stirred. He progressed to the sixth form where his three A-level passes included an A* in information communication technology. He considered a university course, but says that an apprenticeship with Westin Drives that includes college training and practical work offered the best of both worlds. As well as being a computer whizz, Josh is a keen footballer, playing for Elland and following Huddersfield Town as a season ticket holder.
Michael ScottMechanical EngineerMichael Scott enjoyed four years at university, although he did not arrive there by the conventional route. Although he felt drawn to languages during his school days at Honley High, a chance visit to a technology room turned his thoughts towards engineering. Good GCSE results were rewarded by a four-year apprenticeship in mechanical technology at Huddersfield University where he gained BTEC and HND diplomas. Besides experience in CNC engineering, Michael had a chance to try 3D printing. Outside work, his pastimes include the gym, cars and baking.
David AdamsCNC ProgrammerMirfield-born David Adams has always enjoyed working with his hands and was stripping down motorbikes in his early teens. When he left school, engineering seemed a logical progression and he says he's not looked back. An apprenticeship at a Cleckheaton manufacturer offered a wide range of experience including comprehensive training as a CNC programmer. During his 15 years there he also trained the apprentices. Away from work, he's a keen reader on topics from quantum mechanics to physics and has learned enough HTML and CSS to build websites.
Graham DawsonRepair EngineerGraham is our most experienced rewinder – though he insists he is still learning, 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 fortune of the Huddersfield Giants. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and supporting his local.
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