Chris Kennedy promoted to commercial director

Britplas is pleased to announce that it has boosted its leadership team with the promotion of Chris Kennedy to group commercial director.

Having joined the business in 2020 as group commercial manager, Chris stepped into his new role at the end of 2023 and takes overall responsibility for the busy Britplas commercial and procurement department which spans both Britplas’ secure products business, including the Safevent window, and also Britplas Façades.

“Chris’ promotion to commercial director is a testament to his authentic leadership, impressive commercial acumen and dedication to developing his team and department” commented Group MD John Blackwell.

“We are delighted to see him progressing within the company and look forward to working with him to continue to drive the business forward.”

Ben Woodward appointed sales and estimating director

Britplas has announced the appointment of Ben Woodward to the new position of sales and estimating director.

Ben, who has been with the business since 2015 and previously led the pre-construction and estimating department, will be responsible for the overall sales strategy for the Britplas Group, heading up the sales and estimating teams and leading new business development.

Having doubled its turnover over the last five years to some £27m, Britplas carries out the design, manufacture and installation of glazed façades to large commercial developments throughout the UK and also supplies a specialist patented window to the mental health sector.

Current commercial projects include the £250m Kampus mixed use development in Manchester City Centre and the new Edinburgh St James Quarter for main contractor Laing O’Rourke.

The new role will oversee the sales functions of both the commercial and healthcare divisions of the business for the first time.

“Ben has been an integral part of the senior team at Britplas for some years now” commented Britplas managing director John Blackwell. “He has an in-depth understanding of our markets and shares our vision for future business growth. I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion.”

Ben commented “I am delighted to be stepping up to the position of sales and estimating director. Despite what has been a challenging year for most businesses, we have a firm strategy in place supported by an excellent team and I am looking forward to the next stage of our development.”

New group finance director joins the Britplas team

Britplas is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Lincoln to the new position of group finance director.

Richard has extensive senior management experience, having been a finance director for various businesses over the last 18 years. He has worked mainly in the manufacturing and distribution sectors and also had a spell in support services working for Toyota Tsusho.

In his most recent role he was finance director for Tedd Todd, one the UK’s leading hardwood flooring specialists, which is based just around the corner from Britplas at Chesford Grange.

Richard said: “I am extremely pleased to be joining an organisation that has a clear vision and an excellent reputation in its sector.

“I look forward to working to ensure the Group is optimally structured and maintains its financial strength to deliver its ambitions.”

Richard is married with three children and lives in Southport where he moved to 18 years ago from Shropshire.

Britplas appoints new group commercial manager

Britplas is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Kennedy to the new position of group commercial manager.

Chris joins Britplas from Laing O’Rourke where he started his career in 2007 as a trainee Quantity Surveyor, obtaining his degree on a day release basis and achieving MRICS status shortly afterwards.

Over a 13 year career, Chris worked his way to a commercial manager position working across various sectors for both public and private clients including the NHS, Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council. Chris has gained extensive experience in both pre and post construction activities leading numerous tenders and framework submissions as well as delivering complex and prestigious projects such as the redevelopment of Wythenshawe Hospital, Altrincham Interchange and Nr 2 St Peters Square in the centre of Manchester.

Chris will be responsible for leading the Britplas commercial department and working closely with our estimating, pre-construction, procurement and operational teams to develop and implement the group commercial strategy.

John Blackwell, managing director of Britplas Group, said: “Chris brings considerable commercial leadership experience to our business and I am delighted to welcome him to the team. I look forward to working with him as we continue to drive our key strategic objectives and deliver continued growth across the group.”

Tour de Youth Zone: complete!

Last week Britplas’ Design Manager Neil Tattersall and 18 other supporters of Onside Youth Zones set off from Carlisle Youth Zone and travelled 471 miles in 5 days, before reaching Legacy Youth Zone in Croydon, London

Somehow blessed with a week of dry weather in what was otherwise a very soggy week for the UK, every rider reached the days checkpoint without fail, an outstanding achievement given that for many this was the first time attempting such a long, hard ride. Over £40k was raised, all of which will go into front line services helping young people up and down England.

Neil commented “I rode with some real characters – Youth Zone workers, Team Leaders, CEO’s, Fund Raisers as well as Onside Charity and patrons from the private sector – all of whom proved to be very inspirational, very entertaining and very determined ride companions which made for a great and fascinating all-round experience. Some people were literally at their physical and mental limit with tears w shed and some instances of extreme fatigue, but, very much to their credit, every participant managed to complete the challenge.

The triumphant ticker-tape reception at almost every Youth Zone quickly made it clear that the suffering had been very much worthwhile, and each could relax safe in the knowledge that the money raised by their efforts will be well utilised to improve opportunities and the health and wellbeing of young people up and down the country.”

2019 Tour de Youth Zone: from Carlisle to Croydon

On Saturday 21st October a team of 25 local cyclists, including our own Neil Tattersall, will set off from Carlisle Youth Zone and travel 471 miles over 5 days to reach the finish line at Croydon Youth Zone!

The Tour de Youth Zone will take in all 15 sites that Onside Youth Zones run with the aim to raise money for their ongoing work in local community’s.

Open 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, offering over 20 activities per night, OnSide Youth Zone’s support young people to lead healthier, happier, more aspirational lives by providing quality activities, new opportunities and offering a listening ear to those need it.

Neil will be flying the flag for Britplas on the Tour de Youth Zone, if you can donate please follow this link

The sun shines on another Britplas annual company day!

Friday saw both the sun come out and our annual company day take place at a local sports club. As a result of another year of growth, it was once again our biggest ever held, with over 100 employees attending! Another chance to represent our company value of Better Together!

First up all staff were presented with a review of Britplas performance from our Directors and a progress update from our chosen charity, local children’s charity Warrington Youth Zone. The most anticipated part of the day followed, a hotly contested It’s a Knockout set of challenges with Team 4 running out as eventual winners!

A selection of either Pizza or Fish & Chips rounded off the day, with a few more adventurous colleagues heading out to bond over some light beverages.

Directors complete the Abersoch Triathlon

Congratulations to both Britplas Group MD John and P&C Projects Director Chris who completed the Abersoch Sprint Triathlon at the weekend! John completed the three-part race in 1hr38, with Chris finishing in 2hr11.

Over £2,000 has been raised for Britplas’ charity of choice, Warrington Youth Zone, an amount which will be matched by the company bringing the total to just over £4,000 – fantastic effort guys and thanks to everyone who supported this cause!

Every penny raised will go directly towards ensuring thousands of young people from across Warrington are given the opportunities needed to live healthier, happier, more aspirational lives.

Directors take on the Abersoch Triathlon

On 29th June Group MD John Blackwell and P&C Projects MD Chris Fletcher will be taking on the Abersoch Triathlon Sprint to raise funds for Warrington Youth Club. The race, which has been fully subscribed for the last 4 years, consists of a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run around the scenic Abersoch beach in North Wales. Chris is returning for the second time this year whilst the race will be John’s first foray into triathlons!

As a founder patron of OnSide Warrington Youth Club, Britplas has been supporting the charity since 2017 with various fundraising events and initiatives. The club is currently raising funds to create a new purpose-built Youth Zone at Winwick Street, Warrington which will provide them with a permanent base from which they can continue to provide excellent social and educational opportunities for children and young people from across Warrington every day of the year.

The Youth Zone will offer thousands of members access to indoor climbing, dance, music, media, sports, gym, cookery, enterprise, employability, health & wellbeing and much more – 7 days a week for only 50p per visit.

Every penny raised will go directly towards ensuring thousands of young people from across Warrington are given the opportunities needed to live healthier, happier, more aspirational lives.

For more information and to donate please visit:

httpss://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=AbersochTriathlonSprintforWYC

Jason Cross joins Britplas as operations director

Britplas is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Cross to the new position of operations director.

With overall responsibility for delivering operational excellence across the design, manufacture and installation of Britplas projects, Jason brings considerable operational experience and skills to the role, having worked in the commercial glazing sector for some 32 years.

“I am thrilled to be joining Britplas at such an exciting time” commented Jason. “This is a progressive business with strong values and a unique proposition in the market. Our pipeline is strong and I’m looking forward to delivering continuous operational improvement with the support of a great team.”

Britplas Group is forecasting another year of impressive turnover growth, and Jason’s is one of several recent appointments which have been made in order to support the continued expansion of the business.

We are also delighted to welcome Gill Gribbin as financial controller to lead the accounts and finance team. In the factory, Ian Mitchell has been promoted to Commercial Line Production manager.

The sales team has also recruited a new member, with Matt Gorman moving from the estimating department to take on a business development manager role.