Sewtec appoints new Project Director to drive growth plans

31 July 2018

Sewtec has appointed a highly experienced project director, as the company implements a growth plan which will see it double turnover to £32m in five years.

Two males smiling in front of a Sewtec Automation logo

Ian completes Sewtec’s new senior management team, following a series of senior hires including head of finance, Lizzie Hay, and head of business support, Mark Atkins. The appointments follow a successful management buyout (MBO) in August last year.

Ian will manage all new and existing work to enable Sewtec to deliver its projects efficiently and effectively. His role involves project management, manufacturing, assembly, purchasing, IT and quality processes. He is also responsible for increasing the business’s capability by enhancing efficiencies and further improving internal processes.

Ian also has ten years’ working history with Sewtec managing director, Mark Cook, having worked with Mark at intelligence solutions company Datong, engineering services company Misas Technology and Stirling Dynamics.

Welcoming Ian to the company, Mark Cook said: “With Ian’s appointment we’ve built a strong and highly capable senior management team. Effective project management is vital to us achieving on-time delivery and improving efficiencies which in-turn helps us to win new business, so his contribution will enable us to achieve the business’s ambitions.

“Ian is a talented project management expert with a strong track record of transforming businesses and delivering high-value strategic projects. He thrives under pressure and can motivate teams very effectively, so I’m confident he’ll play an integral role in our ongoing expansion.”

As well as doubling its turnover to £32m in the next five years, Sewtec also anticipates increasing its highly skilled engineering and manufacturing workforce to more than 120 people by 2023. The company revealed in June that it had opened a design office at Silkwood Park in Wakefield to begin the recruitment process.

Commenting on his appointment, Ian Walch added: “Sewtec has an outstanding reputation and I’m hugely impressed by the opportunities open to the business. This is a very exciting time to be joining and I look forward to tackling this challenging role to help grow the company.”