Q. Tell us about your professional background and industry experience.

A. “I completed my Economics Degree in 1999 in Manchester, where I kick-started my career working in the formal financial services division of a major multinational industrial corporation. I spent nine years there before transferring the company’s equipment rental business in 2005. This move saw me manage my first plant hire depot in Oldham, and I have remained in the equipment rental space ever since. I’ve built my career in operations, with each new role taking me to progressively larger businesses and bringing new responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities.  

“I’ve always been driven to become a specialist in every business I’ve worked in. In the earlier years, I was committed to learning all I could about heavy machinery (plant), as well as the people needed to successfully deliver projects involving large equipment. I secured my first Director role in 2011 with a national equipment hire business as Regional Director for both Operations and Sales. It was from there really that I found my niche – what I now call home. Most importantly, I found myself in work that I really enjoyed. It was the people that made the job exciting.

“As I progressed through my career, I consulted for banks and private equity companies on rental models and asset-based companies alongside my day job, supporting them in better understanding their businesses and maximizing return on investment. I moved into the infrastructure contracting space for a new challenge and to test myself by leading larger frameworks and projects, while maintaining the fundamental combination of rental and people. I joined one of the UK’s largest Tier 1 Contractors in 2014 for five years, and after that, worked for six years managing companies in rail, plant and highways before joining Centurion in 2025.” 

Q. What does a typical day look like for you as Regional President?

A. “My job as Regional President is fast-moving with each day jam-packed with variety. It always involves managing relationships and expectations while staying focused on our priorities. By that, I mean not losing sight of our strategic direction while also addressing the areas that may not be working or considered mundane. Financial performance is, of course, a key priority, but there’s also trading and run-rate performance, operational challenges, and sometimes urgent people-related areas. Alongside all of that, it’s about ensuring we stay focused on our strategy and where Centurion is heading. 

 “Our long-established business lines and recent acquisitions are all at different stages of their journeys, which present their own unique opportunities and challenges. It’s my job to create a platform that brings a common set of standards across our region whilst helping to maintain the businesses’ identities, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to our safety standards. We need to grow while balancing the challenges that come with growth, and fill any gaps along the way. I enjoy the variety, although working across eight business lines and brands can be a little hectic at times!”

Q. What makes your regional team stand out?

A. “The thing that makes the UKE team stand out is how joined up we’ve become. Everyone wants to do well and support each other. Over the past year, we’ve continued to build stronger relationships across the business, with a straightforward, open way of working and everyone focused on the same goals. We’ve now got specialists in the right areas, and the team genuinely cares about what we’re trying to achieve.”

Q. Tell us about your proudest achievement with Centurion to date.

A. “Joining Centurion, actually being given the opportunity to take on this challenge and build a the best possible team is my proudest achievement so far. It was never going to be easy, but I love my job and I’m proud of the team we have in place. The progress we’ve made in a relatively short period of time is something we can all take pride in, and I’m confident there will be many more achievements to come as we continue to integrate, align and grow.”

Q. What excites you most about the future with Centurion?

A. “There are lots of things about the future with Centurion that excite me. We have an ideal opportunity as a region to transition into more specialist areas and gain wider recognition in the market for what we do. We aren’t like other companies – we’re different. Continuing to demonstrate those capabilities is something I’m really looking forward to.

“What’s exciting is that despite our size and structure, Centurion has retained an entrepreneurial mindset. For me, that means we’re an agile team that can act and make decisions quickly, and we get things done. We’re set to keep growing, and with that comes opportunities for everyone that works here. It’s all about building a better company while creating opportunities for our people. That’s the plan.”

Q. When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A. “I try to keep active, which has been a bit harder over the last four years than at any other time in my life. I’m the guy who still thinks he’s 21 and fit, and that stretching and rest are for other people – but I’m learning to change! I participate in Park Runs on Saturdays and enjoy lifting weights. I’m a fan of boxing and play golf a few times a year. Travelling is something I enjoy, with a particular fascination with restricted access locations and over the years. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some really interesting places, but there’s still quite a few destinations on my list. I take pride in everything I do, which also extends to keeping on top of housework and garden jobs. Maybe the odd walk to my local rugby pub for a few pints too!”