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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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. 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.
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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. He is known to enjoy the occasional pint.
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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 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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Adam Daffern, B.Eng
Technical Services Manager Ideas 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 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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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. |
Mason Seed
Apprentice Electrical Engineer Mason started with us in July 2021 after several months of work placement from Kirklees College. He's a practical lad, having worked with his dad from a young age helping to make trailers. His pride and joy is a VW Mk1 Caddy, which he enjoys working on. He is now undertaking a four-year Mechatronics apprenticeship at Appris in Bradford on day release, while learning on the job and supporting Adam Daffern in our technical services department. |
Jason Kilner
Apprentice Repair Engineer Jason came to Westin Drives for work experience while a sixth former at Shelley College. He enjoyed his time with us so much that he came back in the holidays. After A-levels in Maths, Design Technology and Applied Science he started to look for engineering work 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.
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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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Oliver Wilson
Apprentice Electrical Engineer Raised in Cleckheaton, Oliver progressed 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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Tom Wild
Electro-mechanical Fitter Raised in glorious Summer Wine country, Tom followed schooling at Holmfirth High with training at Kirklees College Engineering Centre. From there he took a job with a large printing company, which involved him in many practical aspects of the trade. He is now settled at Westin Drives where his responsibilities include the repair and servicing of pumps. Outside work, his interest in football has seen him in action for Holme Valley clubs, Hade Edge and Cartworth.
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Callum Moorhouse
Apprentice Repair Engineer A chance conversation in the pub where he was working led to Callum's apprenticeship. After completing three A-levels at Huddersfield New College, and undecided about a career, he took a job as a barman. A director of Westin Drives happened to be in the pub one day and during a chat Callum mentioned his wish to work with his hands. This resulted in an invitation to a days' trial in our workshop and to this job. Out of work he enjoys playing the guitar.
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