Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top Reading based Director operating in the Manufacturing space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Mark Cooper
Vice President and Managing Director, Avery Europe and Asia Pacific of CCL Industries
Mark Cooper is a Vice President and Managing Director, Avery Europe and Asia Pacific at CCL Industries.
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About Avery, CCL Industries: CCL is the largest label company in the world and provides innovative solutions.
Thomas Usher
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of United States Steel
Thomas Usher graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering, a master of science degree in operations research and a doctorate in systems engineering. He joined United States Steel Corporation (later renamed USX Corporation) in 1965 and held various positions in industrial engineering. From 1975 through 1979, he held a number of management positions at United States Steel Corporation’s South and Gary Works. Thomas was elected executive vice president of Heavy Products in 1986, president of U.S. Steel Group and director of USX Corporation in 1991, president and chief operating officer of USX Corporation in 1994 and chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer effective July 1995. He retired from United States Steel Corporation as chief executive officer in September 2004 and as non-executive chairman of the board in February 2006. Thomas serves on the boards of directors of H. J. Heinz Company, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and PPG Industries, Inc. Thomas is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Pittsburgh and the board of directors of the Extra Mile Education Foundation.
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About : United States Steel is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada.
David Shaffer
Director, President & Chief Executive Officer of EnerSys
Shaffer was appointed Director, President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 2016. He served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2014 through March 2016, and our President – Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) from January 2013 through October 2014. From 2008 to 2013, Shaffer was President – Asia. Prior thereto he was responsible for EnerSys’ telecommunication sales in the Americas. Shaffer has worked in various roles of increased responsibility in the industry since 1989. Shaffer received his Masters of Business Administration degree from Marquette University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois.
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About EnerSys: EnerSys is the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. We complement our extensive line of motive power,
Benedicte Thiebaut
Technology Director of Medical Components of Johnson Matthey
Benedicte Thiebaut is the Technology Director of Medical Components at Johnson Matthey.
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About Johnson Matthey: Johnson Matthey is an international speciality chemicals company, founded almost 200 years ago in London.
Dennis Millard
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Connect Group
Dennis’ former appointments include Chairman of Connect Group plc, Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director of Premier Farnell plc, Chief Financial Officer of Cookson Group plc, Finance Director of Medeva plc and a member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the CBI. Dennis has a broad commercial and financial experience in the retail, service, distribution and manufacturing sectors in the UK and internationally. Dennis is a member of the South African Instituted of Chartered Accountants and holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town.
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About : Connect Group is a leading certified supplier of production systems, printed circuit boards and cable assembly services.
David Floyd
Co Founder & Director of Bullitt Group
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About Bullitt Group: Bullitt Group offers go-to-market solutions for brands that wish to extend into mobile or audio products.
Michael Frisby
Managing Director of Cobweb Solutions Ltd
Michael Frisby is a managing director at Cobweb and Vuzion.
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About Cobweb Solutions Ltd, Vuzion: Cobweb Solutions Ltd is a technology manufacturer specializing in cloud based services.
Graham Stead
Client Relationship Director of CMI
Graham Stead is a rare mix of the “Techie” and “Commercial” and has been in the IT Industry for over 25years. He started out as a field engineer back in the day with HP but after 8 years seized the opportunity to start his own business and Solsis was born. In July of this year, the business was sold to CMI. For Graham, the business was always about providing a strong client focus and whilst he loves winning the deal, the longer term relationships he has built with clients is what matters most. His four boys keep him busy when he’s not working and he enjoys a round or two of Golf (But says he doesn’t play enough to improve his handicap!). He may well be too busy training for things like the 3-peaks challenge which he loved or the 50-mile walk he did in 24 hours, which he hated, or supporting Chelsea!
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About CMI: CMI is a company offering manufacturer business streamlining and growth services.
Dan Hodge
Co-Founder and Engineering Director of Bird Cycleworks
Dan Hodge is a Co-Founder at Bird Cycleworks.
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About Bird Cycleworks: Bird Cycleworks is a bicycle manufacturing company that offers its products online.
Nick Pummell
Managing Director of Low Power Radio Solutions
Nick joined the LPRS team in 2015 following 18 years working within the wireless electronic component, M2M and IoT technologies eco-systems. Nick is a true believer in M2M / IoT, having seen many times the ability of the technologies to provide innovative, profitable and disruptive new business and services.
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About Low Power Radio Solutions: LPRS is a global leader in low power RF solutions for OEMs.
Alex Emms
Operations Director of Uninterruptible Power Supplies
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About Uninterruptible Power Supplies: Uninterruptible Power Supplies is a provider of power protection product and service solutions.
