Bradford-based Christeyns UK has announced that Managing Director Nick Garthwaite is retiring from his role at the specialist hygiene chemical manufacturer after 10 years.
The company announced that Neil Jones, Managing Director at Clover Chemicals and Christeyns Food Hygiene, both part of the Christeyns UK group, will be his successor.
Nick, who joined the firm in August 2010 from Siemens, has been instrumental in the success and growth of the Christeyns UK group, heavily involved in acquisitions that have seen turnover grow from £21m in 2010 to over £60m in 2019. A strong advocate of process thinking, his leadership has brought positive results for the business, the people and the industry in general.
Nick commented: “My time at Christeyns has been exceptional. It is an amazing business and I have been fortunate to work with a talented and passionate group of people. Neil is the perfect candidate to take over, highly experienced in the manufacturing industry, knowing the business and our people well. I have no doubt that he will lead Christeyns onward to new heights.”
Nick will continue as Chair of North & West Yorkshire Chamber, remain on the Bradford & Airedale Manufacturing Alliance, as Trustee of Canterbury Imagine and as lead on Bradford Manufacturing Weeks amongst other activities. He will also continue with Christeyns’ for a period of time as a non-executive Director.
Neil joined Christeyns UK in December 2019, responsible for delivering strategy in a dual role across both the professional hygiene and food and beverage arms of the business.
With an extensive background in commercial management, Neil held leadership roles with national companies such as Unilever, Robert McBride and R&R prior to joining Christeyns.
Neil commented: “Christeyns is a unique business with a reputation for excellence and a strong customer service ethos. I am delighted to take on the challenge of continuing the prosperity of the company and to lead the next chapter in its growth and development.”
Neil officially took up his new role on 1 January 2021. His longer-term goals will look to develop new business opportunities, increasing output and efficiency, and ensuring the firm is set to take on a new decade post-COVID-19.
