Board of Directors

CEO Since joining BFPA in 2013 Chris has introduced a complete strategic review of the business and a change programme focussed upon delivering greater added value to the member companies.  As part of that process he instigated the creation of the UK Motion Control Alliance (UK MCA); an initiative designed to recognise UK industry trends towards automation and integrated motion control solutions. Prior to this appointment he was the CEO of the Processing & Packaging Machinery Group. (incorporating PPMA, BARA, PMMDA and the UKIVA)  – a role that he held for over eight years.  During that time he successfully integrated four trade associations into one cohesive body speaking with one voice.   He joined the organisation from BAE Systems where he was responsible for their Sales & Marketing Naval Operations.  The latter two years of his career at BAE were spent on secondment to the UK Cabinet Office where he was one of four industry representatives working on a PM sponsored initiative to reduce the burden of inappropriate and disproportionate regulation on the private sector. Prior to BAE Chris held a number of senior management positions including Marketing Director for Brown & Root Services, Sales & Marketing Director of Dalkia Energy and Technical Services Ltd., Marketing Manager for Taylor Woodrow Mgt. & Engineering and Regional Business Manager for Perkin Elmer Nuclear Systems. He is a Chartered Physicist and spent a number of years in research at the Royal College of Science and the MRC at Cambridge where he was working on the structural analysis of Cancer related plasma proteins.  Since then the primary thrust of his professional experience has been in Business Development, and Strategic Market Planning. He is noted for his seemingly endless energy and commitment to the cause of British industry.

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’.

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. 

George Beswick has been involved with the hose industry in various roles since late 1971 and with the family who owns Alfagomma since 1972. Originally with Alfa Rubber and Plastics, a partnership between the Gennasio family and two English directors, selling industrial rubber hose, the company was sold to a UK Engineering group in 1987.  After brief spells with Semperit and the Winster Group, when Alfagomma opened its own distribution company in Warrington, George re-joined them in 1992. In the intervening years, Alfagomma had increased its hydraulic range from wire braid hoses to include multi-spiral hoses and a compatible fittings range. Not only had the range increased, but the number of Alfagomma subsidiaries had also grown, now covering most of Europe and with depots in Canada and Australia. George’s role within the company has also grown, becoming UK Sales Manager in 2008. Although Alfagomma is now a global entity, it is still a family business at heart, with both the Gennasio brothers heavily involved looking for new developments, acquisitions and totally up-to-date with day-to-day activities in every branch.

UK Business Development Manager

Mike is a time served Chartered Engineer with a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Liverpool’s John Moores University. He is currently UK Business Development Manager for Emerson Automation Fluid Control and Pneumatics UK Limited, having previously owned his own Business Coaching business working with SME’s in the North West  and having  worked in various positions in the Fluid Power industry for Parker Instrumentation, Midland ACS , ASCO Joucomatic Ltd and SMC  for close to 30 years from sales, marketing, training and business development in local, national and international roles.

A keen (but frustrated) golfer, currently living in the North West of the country, Mike is married to Diane.

Paul Kerfoot joined Gates Europe in September 2016 as Vice President EMEA Industrial. He has an extensive background in the Industrial sector and been active in both the Industrial Distribution and Industrial OEM markets worldwide in a verity of sales, business and management roles. In the past he worked for Gates Hydraulics, and in more recent years he has gathered relevant direct experience with Manuli Hydraulics. Paul holds a degree in Business / Managerial Economics and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Huddersfield.

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.

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.

Rebecca is an experienced business leader with an MBA from the University of Warwick Business School. Since August 2019 Rebecca has been the Managing Director of Hydroscand in the UK. Prior to Hydroscand, Rebecca was the National Operations Director at Cromwell Tools, where she developed and transformed the service provision throughout the UK branch network by focusing on the delivery of unique customer value and creating an effortless experience. Rebecca has also enjoyed senior managerial roles at SIG plc where she gained commercial, sales and general management expertise. Outside work, Rebecca spends time with her family and is the chair of the local Memorial Hall Committee.

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 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.

Steve Cardew is the Managing Director of Kawasaki Precision Machinery UK (KPM UK), Steve has also recently stood down as the chair of the Plymouth Manufacturing Group after 3 years in the post. KPM UK currently employ circ 300 people at their Plymouth facility manufacturing a range of hydraulic equipment of which 85% is exported. He has worked at the Plymouth facility since before KPM UK acquired the site more than 20 years ago and has been involved in the manufacturing sector for 38 years, previous positions which he has held are Manufacturing manager, Operations and Sales Director. He is responsible for developing strategy and has extensive experience in industrial relations, as a member of the CIPD Steve has been heavily involved in promoting employee development and training with KPM being strong advocates of apprenticeship training, he has served as an Ambassador for Apprenticeships in the South West for a number of years. Steve has recently also served as a member of the Plymouth Growth Board who are responsible for providing the strategic leadership for the economic development of the City of Plymouth. The Plymouth Manufacturing Group (PMG) currently represents more than 50 member companies, both large and small, who collectively employ 12,000 staff in the Plymouth travel to work area with a combined turnover of £1.6bn. The main objectives of the PMG are to provide a network for communication of matters affecting member companies and their employees as well as to provide a channel of communication between members, local authorities and other appropriate organisations.

Sales Project Manager

Managing Director

(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.

General Manager UK & Ireland

Andy Connell has been the Managing Director of Express Partner Ltd, which trades as Pirtek Birmingham since April 2006 and is also Managing Director of Pirtek Redditch and Pirtek Wolverhampton. Andy trained as an agricultural engineer, becoming a plant fitter and has a wealth of experience in the repair and maintenance of plant and agricultural machinery. In 1997 he started his career with Pirtek Birmingham and in 2001 he purchased the franchise with a partner, and in 2006 he took over as Managing Director and has been running the very successful business ever since.

Sales & Operations Director

Mike Abbott is General Manager of Prevost UK. A qualified mechanical engineer, Mike has spent more than 25 years in the fluid power distribution industry, working for IMI, Legris and Prevost, and has most recently successfully built Prevost UK from no presence in the UK, to a leading supplier with a high quality network of distributors. Mike is keen to give something back and to help the industry, which has given him a lot of pleasure over the last three decades and to put in place plans to keep young people interested in working within the fluid power sector.
Away from work, Mike enjoys good food, wine and riding motorcycles.

Kevin O’Carroll is the Managing Director of SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd, and a Director of SMC Pneumatics (South Africa) Pty.Ltd. Kevin left school in 1997 and Joined Vauxhall Motors where he served a five year Mechanical and Production engineering apprenticeship. He remained at Vauxhall for nine years working within the maintenance department. He joined SMC in July 1987 as an internal sales engineer and has held a number of positions within the company. In 1989 he became the sales office manager. In 1990 he became the field commercial manager with the responsibility of opening 13 regional offices. When an SMC subsidiary was established in Ireland in 1991, he was responsible for setting up the operation there. In 1994 he was asked to lead a BPR project. On completion of the project he was appointed head of operations. In 2008 Kevin was appointed a director of the company having completed his MBA. In February 2015 SMC established a subsidiary in South Africa and Kevin was appointed a Director of the company and is responsible for the setting up of the new operation. Kevin was appointed Managing Director in May 2015.

 Managing Director