Meet the team

Ian Sheppard, Group Managing Director

Ian 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, Service Manager

Michael began his career as a trainee with a company making drive systems for industrial motors and has 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, Technical Manager

Fraser started with us in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. He spent several years learning to repair and rewind while completing his advanced modern apprenticeship. He then became a trainee electrical engineer and now manages the technical services team, assisting Michael Limb in the technical aspects of running the company. Outside work, Fraser enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura and baby, Iona, exploring the pubs of Yorkshire and playing tennis.

Graham Sykes, Business Development Manager

Graham spent most of his working life in the automotive parts industry and has been involved in engineering management since 2015. He has wide experience in the fields of sales and marketing. A keen sportsman, playing football, cricket and squash in his younger days, he now enjoys golf, bowling, walking, dining out, and occasionally seeing his grandchildren who live in Australia.

Steve Ormondroyd, Workshop Manager

Steve started at Westin Drives in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. After living in France for a while, he decided engineering was for him, so he moved 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. Out of working hours, Steve enjoys following Huddersfield Town FC, spending time with his family and socialising.

Tony Ormondroyd, Logistics Manager

Tony began at Westin Drives in 1974 as an apprentice motor technician. He has responsibility for the movement of goods 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 Bruffell, Internal Sales

We were very pleased to welcome back Richard Bruffell to Westin Drives. He rejoined the company 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.

Linda Drummond, Administrator

Linda 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 Smith, Repair Engineer

Wayne has been with us since 2004, repairing and rewinding a wide range of equipment and he plays a big part in training apprentices. His previous experience was with DC repairs in the automotive sector but now turns his hand to all aspects of repair. He also supervises the final quality inspection. Outside work, Wayne enjoys time with his wife and three children and following the fortunes of Huddersfield Town.

Graham Dawson, Repair Engineer

Graham 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.

Dean Swann, Mechanical Engineer

Dean 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.

Rico St Hilaire, Apprentice Repair Engineer

After studying at Netherhall High School, Dalton, Rico spent a period working in a joinery firm. But, having enjoyed working on cars, he felt more drawn to a career in engineering and secured a place on our apprenticeship scheme. His studies at Kirklees Engineering College were interrupted by Covid-19, but he is continuing them online. A keen footballer, he has played centre back for two local teams.

Barrie Harkness, Electrical Engineer

Barrie’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.

Adam Daffern, Electrical Engineer

Thoughts of a career in engineering surfaced when Adam was studying for A-levels at Greenhead College. "I realised I didn't like biology or PE, but I did like IT – and that pushed me towards engineering,” he says. He joined our team with a BTEC gained at KITS in Brighouse and two years' experience as a maintenance engineer in Halifax. Since then he has completed an HNC in electric and electronic engineering at Kirklees College, and is going on to study for his Bachelor's degree, supported by the company. Outside work, he plays football for Shelley first team and tennis at Longley Sports Club.

Jason Kilner, Apprentice Repair Engineer

Jason came to Westin Drives for work experience while a sixth former 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 studied full-time at Kirklees Engineering College and furthered his qualifications on day release. Away from work, he's a keen cricketer and plays for Emley. He is also said to enjoy curries.