Chris Butcher
Managing Director
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 and Training Director
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’.”
Sarah Gardner
Statistics and Market Manager
Sarah’s background is in marketing and market research. She manages the BFPA’s trend surveys, the BFPA Market Forecasting and Statistics Committee and the annual economic industry forecasts.
She monitors the official statistics relevant to fluid power published by the Office for National Statistics, HM Revenue & Customs and Eurostat and is also responsible for the UK’s statistical exchange programmes which have been developed over the years with CETOP, the European Trade Federation for fluid power trade associations.
Sarah has worked for the BFPA since 1995 and therefore has accumulated many years’ experience and knowledge of the hydraulic and pneumatic industries.
Tel: 01608 647913
Karen Gordon-Brander
Administration and Training Coordinator
As administrator for the BFPA, my role is always varied, which is just how I like it! My background in Further Education teaching has proved to be ideal in supporting the BFPA Membership Director in matters of both training and membership. In the area of training, my responsibilities range from dealing with our different training providers to create certificates for all the students who have successfully completed the BFPA courses. I deal with all new membership enquiries and ensure our members records are kept up to date on our database and website.
Other general administration responsibilities include managing BFPA’s member website vacancy service and adverts, coordinating accreditation visits, certificates and approvals for BFPA’s Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme, dealing with orders for BFPA’s publications, as well as being Secretary for BFPA’s Education and Training Committee.
When at home I relax by walking our three dogs, gardening, reading and planning weekends away in our caravan.
Tel: 01608 647901
Nicky Quinn
Standards and Projects Administrator
Nicky Quinn joined the BFPA as Standards and Projects Administrator in May 2023. Nicky is responsible for the co-ordination of all aspects for technical development committees, projects, and programmes primarily on a national setting, working alongside the British Standards Institutions (BSI) as an external secretariat which involves arranging, running, and managing meetings, writing the meeting minutes, and following up on outstanding actions and projects. In addition, Nicky is a key member of BFPA’s Strategy Team for Industry and Standards, which is working on several exciting new projects covering technical and sustainability aspects of fluid power.
For any questions about fluid power industry standards or other technical matters, or if you are interested in joining a BFPA fluid power technical committee, please contact Nicky at the BFPA on 01608 647900 or email her at nicky@bfpa.co.uk