Meet the Team
| National Executive & AWD Board | |
| Adrian Hawkins: AWD National Chairman | |
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Adrian is the Managing Director of Weldability-Sif www.weldability-sif.com with 37 years experience in the gases, equipment, welding consumable, welding and cutting machine markets. Adrian maintains a keen interest in the safety wear used within the industry with representation of the Welding Institute on the EN 169/175/379 norms standards committees. Currently involved as a member of the HSE Welding Fume partnership tasked with providing a better understanding of the health issues associated with welding fume. Adrian is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management, Professional Member of the Welding Institute, Founder of biz4Biz - a Hertfordshire based business support organisation and - Chairman of the North Herts Westminster Club. Email: national.chairman@awd.org.uk |
| Phil Tranter: AWD Vice-Chairman | |
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Phil is currently the Marketing Manager for Air Products www.airproducts.co.uk packaged gases group overseeing activities for the UK, Ireland and the global Offshore segment. With a background in Business/Marketing and Engineering, coupled with 15 years experience within the sector, Phil has held various roles in sales, marketing and project change- management roles. He now concentrates on supporting the development and promotion of innovative products and services to various users of industrial and specialty gases and is passionate about ensuring that welding is seen as an attractive industry to be a part of. Phil sits on various committees across the industry including the SkillWeld group which encourages young welders to demonstrate their skills. Email: national.vice.chairman@awd.org.uk |
| Dave Ellwood: AWD National Secretary | |
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Dave is the Managing Director of Britannia Welding Supplies Ltd. www.britanniawelding.com Based in Aldershot, Hampshire. Dave has been in the welding sales industry since 1976. He has been actively involved with the AWD management for 10 years. He served as Chairman and now National Secretary. He was recently instrumental in the transition of the AWD to a limited company. Dave is passionate about welding and supports the industry at every available opportunity. Email: national.secretary@awd.org.uk |
| Lee Darton: AWD Treasurer | |
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Lee is the Managing Director of Flextraction Ltd www.flextraction.co.uk who manufacture and supply Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). Lee has worked for Flextraction for 12 years, although has served the industry and shares over 25 years of experience. He is keen to promote the importance of safe working environments and has represented the BSI as the UK expert on the working group for Part 1: Testing of the separation efficiency for welding fume (ISO 15012-1:2004) and Part 2: Testing of the capture zone of welding fume devices (ISO 15012-2 2000). Email: national.treasurer@awd.org.uk |
| National Council - Chairman | |
| Helen Brewin: North West Region Chairman | |
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Helen Brewin is the Commercial Director of Proactive Gas Safety Ltd www.proactivegassafety.com . Covering the UK and Ireland, Helen has been involved with the delivery of compressed gases safety training for over twelve years. Helen sits on the BCGA Health & Safety Action Group and her aim is to promote best practice within the welding industry. |
| Emily Wright: South West Region Chairman | |
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Emily is the Managing Director, Safety First Manufacturing www.sfm-tusker.com based in Plymouth. She originally joined Safety First Manufacturing as a PA in 2004. Prior to this, Emily completed her Law & Politics degree at Cardiff University in 2000 and after a short stint managing a pub in Reading, She then worked as a Sales Manager for a waste management company before moving to Devon in 2002 and loves living in the West Country Emily is an ambassador to a local government training organisation and actively encourages young people into the welding industry. Emily Wright LLB, Managing Director, Safety First Manufacturing |
| Andy Bridger: Midlands Region Chairman | |
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Andy works for BOC www.boconline.co.uk within their Industrial supplies and services division and is an active member of the AWD. With a wealth of knowledge across the industrial gases and product ranges, Andy is keen promote best practices across the industry. |
| Gareth Hawkins: Eastern Region Chairman | |
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Gareth is Sales Director at Weldability Sif www.weldability-sif.com having worked within the industry for 14 years, and is responsible for UK, Ireland and Overseas sales, managing a team of 8 salespeople. He has been involved with many large projects, providing solutions to application challenges and assisting with the selection and use of alloys and equipment. Gareth is an active member of the AWD's Product Safety & Quality committee (PSQ) and is dedicated to the appreciation of welding as a skilled science. |
| James Westhorp: South East Region Chairman | |
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James is the Sales Director of Welding Engineering Services - an independent welding distributor located in the South East, which have been established for over 30 years. Having personal knowledge and experience both practical and commercial for over 15 years in the welding distribution industry. |
| National Council - Vice Chairman | |
| Steve Ross: North West Region Vice-Chairman | |
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Steve is the UK Sales Manager for Wilkinson Star Ltd www.wilkinsonstar.com. After serving his apprenticeship in welding & cutting, Steve ventured into the sales side of the industry some 30 years ago. After spending a few years at Universal Welding in Aberdeen and a short spell at Trinity Cutting & Welding in Sheffield, Steve latterly joined Wilkinson Star as an Area Representative in 1988 and progressed to his current position in 1993. Over the 23 years at Steve has been at Wilkinson Star, he has enjoyed being part of a team that have taken the company from humble beginnings to become one of the leading welding equipment wholesalers in the UK today. |
| John Swain: Midlands Region Vice-Chairman | |
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John is chairman of the Anopol companies, which specialise in processes for metal surfaces. He has had numerous articles published on chemical and electrochemical treatments for stainless steels, including cleaning of welds. He has also contributed several articles for the Association's magazine "Welding World." He has appeared in national newspapers and on radio, criticising overzealous UK legislation that is detrimentally effecting metal finishing and manufacturing in general. John currently sits on the Council of the British Stainless Steel Association and the National Committee of the Surface Engineering Association. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Metal Finishing. |
| Welding World Magazine | |
| Martin Clark: Welding World Editor | |
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Martin has been involved with the welding industry for over 30 years having started as a welder in a Swedish Shipyard and later with ESAB. He is keen to enhance the reputation of Welding World through an increased circulation and content as well as creating a greater awareness of the magazine and the AWD within the fabrication sector of manufacturing in the UK. Email: editor@awd.org.uk |
| AWD Secretariat | |
| Jennie Mort: Events Co-ordinator / Welding World Exhibition Co-ordinator | |
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Jennie has many years experience in the events industry and provides assistance to the Association to assist with the organisation and event management. For the last two years, Jennie and her team have supported the AWD and their Secretariat to organise, administer and provided Event Management for the AWD events calendar including their Annual Conference & AGM, Fume Focus Group Seminars and the Welding World Exhibition. Email: conference@awd.org.uk |
| Wendy Barber: Membership Manager | |
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Wendy was appointed Membership Manager in April, 2011 to maintain and further expand the Associations' Membership. Her Key functions for this role are to build relationships with existing members, enhance membership benefits and enrol new members. Wendy attends National Council Meetings in her roles as Membership Manager and representative from the AWD Secretariat. Email: membership@awd.org.uk |
| Angela Jones: AWD Secretariat | |
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Wendy is responsible for the day to day running of the AWD Secretariat, along with her colleague Angela Jones. They both offer general administration duties to the Association which includes handling all Membership enquiries, mailings and financial administration. Email: secretariat@awd.org.uk |
