Above:David Penman
Thompsons, the UK’s market – leading tipper bodybuilder, is pleased to confirm a wide range of new appointments, the most significant of which being key staff positions at its factory at Kirkliston near Edinburgh.
David Penman is now appointed General Manager at the site, and is therefore responsible for all Thompsons’ activities north of the border. To support him directly with new tipper sales, Angus McIntosh joins the company as Sales Manager Scotland. Of particular benefit to both Thompsons and its customers, Angus is already very well known in the Scottish truck scene, having previously worked for over 27 years in various manufacturer dealerships.
Further strengthening Thompsons Scottish team is Stewart Dick, who takes on the important role of production co-ordinator to help the factory run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Further appointments have been made at the Group level. Neil Griffin is appointed Engineering Director responsible for all design, technical and engineering issues across both Thompsons and its sister company Charlton, where Andrew Gunn has also been made Sales Director. Another Group appointment is that of Megan Williams who, whilst being predominately based in Blackburn, takes on the role of Group Human Resources Manager.
In recent years the Group has directed considerable resources to fund its expansion, much of which has been focused on its Blackburn sites. Taking advantage of both a readily available pool of skilled labour already familiar with building commercial vehicles as well as a high volume local truck marketplace, Thompsons’ Blackburn operation now builds more tippers than Croydon. Significantly, Thompsons has also established a resident design and engineering facility at its Blackburn site, headed up by Mark Kirvan.
Thompsons preferred policy of ‘promotion from within’ now sees James Sanderson promoted to Production Manager at Blackburn Site 2, following the earlier elevation of Arthur Wright to the equivalent role at Site 1.
Also at Blackburn, Kevin Kelly joins the highly successful Thompsons eParts operation, whilst Matthew Shields takes on responsibility for all Site 4’s higher technology and automation processes.
Commenting on all the recent changes, Joint Managing Director Simon Shields says:
“As for all businesses in our industry, 2020 has proved to be an incredibly difficult and challenging year. However, it’s also given us the opportunity to really look at how we want to see Thompsons grow into the future and how to further strengthen our team. These recent appointments add real depth to our human resource.
In particular, we are delighted to have a strong and well – focused team in Scotland, which is sure to continue the significant advances Thompsons is already making in that marketplace.”
Above: Angus McIntosh
Above: Stewart Dick
Above: Mark Kirvan / Neil Griffin
Above: Megan Williams
