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Chris Butcher
(Managing Director) British Fluid Power Association
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Martin Kingsbury
(Membership & Training Director) British Fluid Power Association
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Rebecca Galley
(President) Hydroscand Limited
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Swapnil Khedekar
(Vice President) Festo Limited
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John Farmer
(Immediate Past President) Flowtech
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Peter Willson
(BFPA Distributor Council Chairman) Hopespare Limited
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Nick West
(Vice Chairman BFPA Distributor Council) Allswage UK Limited
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Christopher (Chris) Hamlett
Alfa Gomma UK Limited
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David Scholes
Bosch Rexroth Limited
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Gregg Heller
HUSCO International Partners LLP
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Paul Newnham
GS Hydro UK Limited
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Andy Whiteford
Danfoss Power Solutions Limited
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Rob Buchanan
Hydreco Hydraulics Limited
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Peter Rowbottom (Co-Opted)
Gates Hydraulics
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Andy Dickens
Interpump Fluid Solutions
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Jerry Hughes
Jemlyn Limited (Co-opted)
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John Glover
Kawasaki Precision Machinery UK Limited
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Francesco Chessari
MP Filtri UK Limited
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Chris Curr
Moog Industrial Group
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John Savage
National Fluid Power Centre Limited (Co-opted)
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Adam Burrows
Pirtek UK Limited
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Graham Wood
Savery Hydraulics
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Nick Pittwood
SMC UK
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Mannie Saunders
Yuken Europe Limited
Chris Butcher
(Managing Director) British Fluid Power Association
Chris joined BFPA in November 2022 from Woodway Engineering Limited, where he was Managing Director for the Coventry based company and brings over 25 years of experience in the fluid power industry, both in engineering and commercial business development, to the role.
Chris’s career began at British Steel, Teesside, where, after completing an engineering apprenticeship spent 7 years as a hydraulics engineer, gaining valuable hands-on experience of the fluid power industry, he subsequently moved into hydraulic sales with Quick Hydraulics. He then gained experience over a number of years which led him to progress to a variety of senior roles within the fluid power industry with Haldex AB and Concentric AB, most recently as Vice President.
Throughout his career, Chris has been involved in many aspects of manufacturing, engineering, and commercial processes, predominantly heading business development and engineering teams through Europe and Asia. From designing and developing to production and selling, Chris has worked across B2B and B2C environments with customers including many of the world’s leading OEMs such as Scania, Volvo, CAT, Mercedes, Komatsu and JCB.
Martin Kingsbury
(Membership & Training Director) British Fluid Power Association
Martin is one of the longest standing members of the BFPA staff having joined the Association in 2006. As Membership and Training Director he prides himself on having an excellent knowledge of the membership and the kind of industry insight that enables the BFPA to offer member companies real added-value from their membership. This insight is also of great value when undertaking his other responsibilities for both BFPA training and the BFPDA Hose Accreditation Scheme. Before joining BFPA Martin spent 23 years with Linde – a well-known German Hydraulics company and a long standing BFPA member. He started his career as an apprentice for MG cars and has retained his interest in cars ever since although much of his spare time is now spent riding his Harley Davidson – a passion that he shares with his wife who also owns her own ‘Harley’.
Rebecca Galley
(President) Hydroscand Limited
Managing Director at Hydroscand UK and President of The British Fluid Power Association, Rebecca brings over 20 years of B2B experience to her roles.
With an MBA from Warwick Business School, Rebecca specialises in business strategy, particularly in turnarounds, leading by example with a hands-on approach.
Passionate about leadership, fairness, and fostering enjoyable work environments, Rebecca is known for her loyalty, reliability, and determination. Beyond the boardroom, she extends her influence by mentoring through the Mensa Mentor scheme and inspiring students about careers in fluid power and engineering.
Her commitment to fitness, love for the outdoors, and straightforward work ethic define Rebecca as a grounded leader making a genuine impact.
Swapnil Khedekar
(Vice President) Festo Limited
Swapnil Khedekar is the Head of UK Operations and part of cluster management for North West Europe for Festo. Swapnil is British-Indian living in the UK since 2001. He completed his Engineering Apprenticeship and graduated as Mechatronics Engineer form the University of De Montfort. He went on to complete his Master of Engineering from the Open University and continued his education with an EMBA from Cranfield University. He has held various position from engineering to senior management over an industrial career of 22 years, giving a wide-ranging experience in the automation industry. He is accredited as a Chartered Manager and was recently confirmed as a Fellow with Chartered Management Institute (CMI). For Festo, Swapnil is Head of UK operations responsible for all operations in the country.
John Farmer
(Immediate Past President) Flowtech
Previously serving as an Engineer for a Foundry owned by Parker Hannifin, John Farmer went on to build over 30 years’ experience in the industry, initially working in a sales capacity as Branch Manager for Energy Controls, then as a distributor for Flowtechnology, selling brands such as CompAir, Rexroth Pneumatics (purchased by Bosch) and Zander Air Filtration and various other electrical and pneumatic equipment. In 1999 John joined Flowtechnology UK, firstly as an External Sales Manager, before relocating to the head office in Skelmersdale to take up the role of Product Development Manager in 2002 then as the Product Development Director in 2004. In July 2016 he accepted the permanent position of Managing Director for Flowtechnology UK. John, who has been a member of the BFPA Board since May 2017, was appointed as Group Commercial Director for its parent Company Flowtech Fluidpower plc in the summer of 2019, a role which will see John build closer alliances with leading suppliers in the industry, and serves as an excellent fit for his new position with the BFPA.
Peter Willson
(BFPA Distributor Council Chairman) Hopespare Limited
Peter Willson is Managing Director and owner of Hopespare Limited and was elected as Chairman of the BFPA Distributor Council in May 2023 (having held the position previously).
Hopespare supplies hose, fittings and finished assemblies for hydraulic and pneumatic systems to many blue-chip companies across a wide range of industries including automotive, manufacturing and process control. From airbrake fittings to multi-spiral hose assemblies, we supply bespoke or ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions, fast.
Peter holds a Degree in Chemistry from Brunel University, London and has a wealth of experience in hydraulics, pneumatics and the fluid power industry in general.
Nick West
(Vice Chairman BFPA Distributor Council) Allswage UK Limited
Nick West is Managing Director of Allswage UK Limited and was elected as Vice Chairman of the BFPA Distributor Council in May 2023. He has been with Allswage UK since 2000, previously having been a Director at Albion Hose Limited.
Allswage UK was established in 1983 and supplies the hydraulics industry with high quality and reliable hydraulic equipment including swaging machines and hose assembly equipment anywhere in the country for a number of leading and well-known brands. Techmaflex, Resato International B.V., Ultra Clean Technologies, System Edstrom and Marken Manufacturing are among its most popular brands enabling us to supply the Hydraulics, Offshore, Automotive, High Pressure and Agriculture industries, along with our range of 12 volt mobile workshop equipment.
Allswage can service and repair all types and makes of equipment onsite and in-house and proficient in supplying most standard machines and spares ex-stock for immediate delivery. Its warehouse in West Bromwich helps to facilitate supply of spares that have enabled the company to launch its own online shop on its website.
Christopher (Chris) Hamlett
Alfa Gomma UK Limited
Christopher (Chris) Hamlett is General Manager of Alfagomma UK Ltd. He has worked at Alfagomma UK for the past 15 years, starting in October 2008 , having completed a degree in Business Management at Liverpool University. His first position within the organisation was purchasing assistant, however after 3 years, preferring a career path in sales rather than purchasing, he was transferred to AGUK’s internal sales team .
In 2013 having excelled within a sales environment, AGUK promoted Chris to external Sales manager for Southern England where he has been for the past 9 years managing a large customer base which includes several key accounts, in 2022 Chris was promoted to General Manager for Alfagomma UK where he has guided the company to its most successful year in its 30 year history in the UK.
David Scholes
Bosch Rexroth Limited
David Scholes is Engineering Manager at Bosch Rexroth Limited. An individual inspired by his forefathers exploits in engineering; who marvels at mans technical ingenuity.
A passionate engineer with a balanced approach, with recognition of value and belief, encouraging and sharing this with others, where collectively we should always aim to be resolute with our achievements.
Offering a wealth of technical knowledge, founded on experience gained at work, in business and through life long hobbies at home; with focus toward electro hydraulic / mechanical solutions. With his career at Bosch Rexroth to date, spanning thirty eight years: serving an apprenticeship embracing industrial electro hydraulics, travelling the world to manage turn key solutions for Heavy Industry in the capacity as an engineer. Roles in management extending to production and design, and affording leadership in the capacity as engineering manager with responsibility extending to legal compliance providing reassurance toward technically sound, safe solutions placed on the market today. Respects others and cultural diversity, whilst bringing humour to those whom he meets adding inspirational influence.
Some remark a little eccentric, engaged with hobbies extending to transport throughout the ages, his collection of cars and interest with trains, boats and planes; (and on occasion his family): culminating with his home workshop, scale models, a passion for Moore and Wright instruments and an ejection seat from a fighter aircraft that resides in his bathroom as an ‘occasional chair’.
Gregg Heller
HUSCO International Partners LLP
Gregg Heller is Vice President and Managing Director of European Operations at HUSCO International Inc. HUSCO is a global leader in developing innovative, customized hydraulic solutions that improve the overall efficiency, controllability and safety of automotive and off-highway mobile equipment. Gregg joined HUSCO International in 1996 and during his tenure has been instrumental in leading the HUSCO global manufacturing organization through the introduction of progressive manufacturing technologies and business systems resulting in industry differentiating cost, quality, and delivery performance. During this time the HUSCO business has grown significantly and its manufacturing footprint tripled with the addition of four new green field manufacturing sites. In 2012 Gregg was appointed Vice President and Managing Director of HUSCO’s Europe Operation, HUSCO International Ltd. based in Runcorn, England. In this role Gregg is responsible or HUSCO’s European business development, sales, engineering, and manufacturing operations serving customers throughout Europe. Gregg holds a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Paul Newnham
GS Hydro UK Limited
As a graduate Mining Engineer, Paul Newnham started work in the mining industry in various locations, from gold mining in South Africa, tin mining in Cornwall, coal mining in Wales and the Selby Coalfield in Yorkshire. Eventually he ‘saw the light at the end of the tunnel’ and moved into the hydraulic industry with Hagglunds – in technical sales to the mining industry. In following years, his career developed with Denison Hydraulics and Parker Hannifin. Here he held management positions within Distribution, Quality, Marketing and Sales. His current job is with GS Hydro (UK) as General Manager, based in Wakefield.
Andy Whiteford
Danfoss Power Solutions Limited
Andy Whiteford is Director OEM Sales at Danfoss Power Solutions Limited. Andy started his engineering career in manufacturing design in 1988 after attending Harper Adams Agricultural College. He fully entered the fluid power world when he joined Sauer-Sundstrand in Swindon in 1998 as an Application Engineer. Sauer-Sundstrand changed to Sauer-Danfoss and finally Danfoss Power Solutions in 2013, during this time Andy held various roles, Service Manager, Sales Manager and Sales Director for UK & Benelux. Currently he is heavily involved with the integration of Eaton Hydraulics in Danfoss Power Solution following the acquisition in 2021.
Rob Buchanan
Hydreco Hydraulics Limited
Rob Buchanan started his career at the NCB in 1981 as an underground mechanical / hydraulic mechanic, and gained a Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering on day release. In 1994 he joined Flupac (now HYDAC Technology) and spent two years working as an Area engineer covering the North East. In 1996 Rob established Argo-Hytos UK Ltd as General Manager covering the UK and Ireland, and became global key account manager for the JCB group for five years. Rob also became an active member of the BFPA Board of Directors for several terms. Rob became Sales Director at Hydreco UK in 2020.
Peter Rowbottom (Co-Opted)
Gates Hydraulics
Peter Rowbottom is the Regional Sales Manager for the Industrial Replacement business of Gates in Northern Europe and comes to the board with 20 years’ experience in the Fluid Power Industry.
Before joining Gates Peter held roles with Pirtek as their National Sales Manager and Manuli Hydraulics with responsibility for their wholesale business in the UK and the Nordics. His core competency is in the commercial field and management of sales resources with a broad geographical reach.
Having graduated from Oxford University with a BA Hons degree Peter has continued to develop his professional skills through continual learning honing his skills as both an individual contributor and a manager of teams.
In his down time Peter supports Burnley Football Club and contributes to local athletics and footballing events as a volunteer.
Andy Dickens
Interpump Fluid Solutions
Andy currently works for Interpump Hydraulics (UK) Ltd as Technical Product Manager. He previously worked at ERIK UK and has worked in the fluid power industry specialising in hose, fittings and related product since 1990, when he started as a Mobile Service Technician for Pirtek rising within the Pirtek group to became National Training Manager. He has also worked for IMM Hydraulics and BMI Hose. Andy has been a member of the BFPDA Council and is currently an accredited BFPA trainer and active member of TC/4 technical committee.
Jerry Hughes
Jemlyn Limited (Co-opted)
Jerry Hughes BSc AMIMechE Jerry Hughes is the Director and owner of Jemlyn Ltd, a consulting company specialising in both business development and specialist engineering in the Fluid Power Industry. He has built the business from a start-up company in 2008 to an established business with prestige clients, both major manufacturers and end users. Jerry is Chairman of the BFPA Technical and Standards Policy Committee holding responsibility for all technical committees, and is a BSI Chairman with responsibility for over 500 standards and regularly represents the UK at International standards meetings. He is also a member of the Mechatronics Board of Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Prior to his current role he was European General Manager for a Canadian Hydraulic Piping Company with a global responsibility for the offshore market, established their products in Europe with the appropriate Type Approvals and managed a number of major installations. He has been employed in the fluid Power Industry for 38 years holding management positions with Berendsen Fluid Power and Lucas Fluid Power and has been involved with many hydraulic systems and their components in a wide variety of industries. Jerry is passionate about the fluid power industry, the need to maintain high standards and its future. He has an interest in historic rallying, preparing and driving his own car and is a qualified badminton coach.
John Glover
Kawasaki Precision Machinery UK Limited
John Glover is Senior Manager Product Engineering at Kawasaki Precision Machinery (UK) Limited. The site based in Plymouth employs sround 300 people manufacturing, selling and providing technical support for the Kawasaki hydraulic product range including the Staffa motor.
He has 25 years experience working in the hydraulics industry. During this time he has filled roles such as Design Engineer, Production Supervisor, Application Engineer, Continuous Improvement Engineer, Project Manager and Application Engineering Manager.
John is a professional Engineer with a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Masters in Engineering Management, also having completed hydraulic specific training to Cetop level 3.
John has a developed his knowledge in hydraulic component design having spent time working primarily on mobile and excavator applications. John has worked in the KPM Japan design office and is involved with the future product development strategies for Kawasaki hydraulic components and systems.
John currently leads the team of Application and Product Development Engineers at the Plymouth site.
Francesco Chessari
MP Filtri UK Limited
Francesco Chessari is an Executive Director of MP Filtri UK Limited and will be the future Managing Director in 2023. He has worked for MP Filtri and the hydraulics industry for six years, and he supports the strategic growth of the company.
Francesco is a fully qualified accountant with 20 years of management experience in global manufacturing organisations and SMEs.
He is also a keen musician and loves playing music in his free time.
Chris Curr
Moog Industrial Group
Christopher Curr (Chris) is the General Manager of Moog’s Industrial Group based in Tewkesbury Gloucestershire. Chris will be celebrating 38 years with Moog in 2023. Over this period Chris has held positions in Production, Sales and Business Development, Operations, Supply Chain and Engineering. Chris has been in his current General Manager position for just over 10 years. In this position Chris also serves as a Director on the Board of Moog Controls Limited.
Chris holds a Masters Degree (MSc) from Cardiff University in Lean Operations, a HNC in Mechanical Engineering and a Diploma in Management Studies. During Chris’s 38 years with Moog he has gained experience and insight into the British Fluid Power Industry. Moog UK Industrials Business being predominately Hydraulic Controls Systems has helped Chris build relationships with Customers and Suppliers in the Fluid Power Industry and an understanding of the value of this Industry to the UK. Chris has also been involved with the BFPA in years gone by and sat as a member on the Systems Committee in the early 2000’s.
John Savage
National Fluid Power Centre Limited (Co-opted)
(Co-opted) John R Savage is the Director of the National Fluid Power Centre for the UK. Trained as a Mining Mechanical Engineer, he spent the early years of his career working underground at various Collieries within the South Yorkshire Area of the National Coal Board. This period of his career stemming from 1962 to 1974 provided him with extensive knowledge and skills associated with the maintenance and management of complex fluid power systems working in very harsh environments. In 1974 he joined the Mining Engineering Department at North Nottinghamshire College as a Senior Lecturer in Mining Mechanical Engineering and Thermodynamics. In 1992 he was appointed Programme Manager heading up the Mining and Engineering Departments within the College which also encompassed Fluid Power. He joined the newly formed Education and Training Committee for AHEM (Association of Hydraulic Equipment Manufacturers) in 1988 and was appointed Chairman of the current BFPA Education and Training Committee in 1992, a position that he holds to date. During this period he was also appointed as Vice President for Education for CETOP for a period of 4 years fronting the CETOP Education Recommendations throughout Europe. A current member of the BFPA Board, he continues to play an active role in establishing UK Standards and Recommendations relating to education involving Integrated Systems Engineering. He was appointed as Director of the National Fluid Power Centre in 2000 a position that he holds to date. In April 2016 he received Motion Control Industry Award for his lifetime contribution to education within the Fluid Power Industry and in February 2017 he will receive the Brahma Medal from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, once more for his is services and contribution to UK Fluid Power Education and Training over the last 45 years.
Adam Burrows
Pirtek UK Limited
Adam Burrows is the National Sales and Marketing Director of Pirtek UK Limited. Adam joined Pirtek UK in 2017 and has been in his current position for four years and has worked in the fluid power industry for ten years, previously with ERIKS in various management positions.
Adam holds a BSc in Business Administration and Management from the University of Essex and more recently, an MBA from the Open University, and recently joined BFPA’s Marketing Committee.
Graham Wood
Savery Hydraulics
Graham Wood’s lifelong passion for engineering and collaborative management skills led to him becoming Managing Director of Savery Hydraulics in Coventry, where he proudly leads a highly experienced and dedicated team of Engineers. Growing up as a farmers son, he soon realised he was more interested in the machinery than the agriculture.
Graham’s early experience of hydraulics came with a short period of employment at BAe systems involving structural testing. He has since led major projects such as:-
* Aerospace Test rigs and fixture.
*Flood Barrier Hydraulic Systems
*Hydraulic Systems for three Berths at Dover.
*Wind Turbine Blade test facilities.
*Aerospace Full scale fatigue test rigs
He has also been a senior project member for further projects such as:-
*3000 lpm Automotive test Ring Mains
*Bridge Hydraulic Systems
*Military Jet support and service Ring mains for RAF and overseas Air-Forces.
This lifelong experience in the Hydraulic Industry has allowed him to develop a strong applications based structure and to foster long standing partnerships with customers to solve any Hydraulics Control problem and to design, manufacture, install and support these products for years to come.
He now finds his agricultural roots coming back with a love of gardening and walking in the countryside or coast. Having learnt the piano and trumpet he has a love of all music, especially Jazz.
Nick Pittwood
SMC UK
Nick Pittwood is Sales Director at SMC UK. He holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and over his career has worked in a variety of management, sales and new business development roles. He has more than three decades experience in automation with SMC.