Meet the team at Westin Drives

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, BSc, Administration Manager

Michael began his career with a company making drive systems for industrial motors and has over 35 years’ experience of field service and 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 administrative management of Westin Drives and our sister company Westin Engineering, working to increase efficiency.

Fraser Lynch, BEng, Operations 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, as Operation Manager, he has overall responsibility for the workshop, logistics and internal sales. 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

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.

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.

Adam Daffern, Electrical Engineer

Thoughts of a career in engineering surfaced when Adam was studying for A-levels at Greenhead College. An interest in IT pushed him towards engineering and he joined our team with a BTEC gained at KITS 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 a degree, supported by the company. Outside work, he plays football for Shelley first team and tennis at Longley Sports Club.

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.

Mika Everson, Apprentice Repair Engineer

Mika, 16, joins us as an apprentice with previous experience of working as an assistant in an electrical shop and flipping burgers and baking pizzas in a takeaway. He left Honley High with some good GCSEs, but preferred a career which involved learning by doing. And he says he's loving his first taste of engineering at Westin Drives. A practical lad, he has repaired an industrial shredder and built a shed in his spare time. Out of work, he's a keen footballer playing midfield for Grange Moor Saints.

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.