Meet the team at Westin Drives
Ian Sheppard
Group Managing Director Ian is 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.
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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.
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Fraser Lynch
BEng, Operations Manager Fraser started with us in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. He spent several years learning to repair electromechanical equipment while completing his advanced modern apprenticeship. He then became a trainee electrical engineer carrying out site services and now, as Operations Manager, he has responsibility for the workshop, logistics technical services and internal sales. Outside work, Fraser enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura and baby, Iona, exploring the pubs of Yorkshire and playing tennis.
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Adam Daffern, B.Eng
Technical Services Manager 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.
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Steve Ormondroyd
Workshop Manager Steve started with us in 2006 as an apprentice motor technician. His commitment to quality and service meant he successfully introduced many new working practices as a supervisor and now manages the workshop and repairs. Out of working hours, Steve enjoys following Huddersfield Town FC, spending time with his wife and two young sons and socialising. A samosa fan, he is also known to enjoy the odd pint.
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Tony Ormondroyd
Logistics Manager Tony began at Westin Drives in 1974 as an apprentice motor technician. He now 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 of vehicles. Outside work he enjoys fishing, spending time with his family and walking his dog Summer.
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Richard Bruffell
Internal Sales Richard, a highly experienced sales engineer has 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 success.
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Jason Kilner
Apprentice Repair Engineer Jason came to Westin Drives for work experience while a sixth former at Shelley College. He also came back in the holidays. After A-levels in Maths, Design Technology and Applied Science he looked for engineering work and was glad to be offered a job here. He 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 enjoys curries.
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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 electromechanical repair. He also supervises the final quality inspection of workshop repairs. Outside work, Wayne enjoys time with his wife and three children and following the fortunes of Huddersfield Town.
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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 fortunes of the Huddersfield Giants. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and supporting his local. |
Mika Everson
Apprentice Technical Services Engineer 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 support Adam Daffern in 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 did some panel work in my previous job and 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. |
Oliver Wilson
Apprentice Electrical Engineer 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.
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Oliver Lowe
Apprentice Technical Sales Engineer The hairstyle may not immediately suggest it, but Oliver spent a year training to be a barber after lockdown cut short his school career. He'd previously enrolled on an engineering course, but that too was scuppered by Covid. However, his wish to be involved with engineering or electrical work was fulfilled when a friend told him of a college recommendation for Westin Drives. Oliver joined us and is now studying part-time for an NVQ in technical support engineering.
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