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Chemical Engineering, Birmingham University
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Manufacturing Director, GB&I
"The company has always offered me significant development roles, and kept me constantly challenged."
"I joined Cadbury in 1987 as a process engineer at the Bournville Factory after graduating with a degree in chemical engineering. Within a couple of years, I was promoted to senior process engineer, managing a small team. In 1991 I made my first move into manufacturing management, taking responsibility for the Creme Egg and chocolate making production lines across 4 shifts.
"After six years with the company I was made operations manager at Chirk, our cocoa bean processing factory in North Wales, and began a process of radical change which brought transformation to both the environment and the factory's performance. This gave me my first taste of managing my own factory. My role has now expanded to Manufacturing Director for Great Britain & Ireland, covering 9 production sites that employ nearly 4,000 people. I am also a registered director of CTB.
"Every role that I have had within the Company has had its highlights - whether it was helping to install my first multi-million £ production line in 1989 or seeing my team achieve significant and sustained improvement in all areas of our manufacturing performance over many years.
"I've had many opportunities for travel, attending manufacturing best practice conferences as far away as in Melbourne and visiting suppliers and factories across Europe.
"I have to say that the company has always offered me significant development roles and kept me constantly challenged. If you like accountability and an incredible level of variety in your job, manufacturing is the place to be."