David W Fox
Chairman and Chief Executive
Power Panels Electrical Systems Limited

David's first employment was at George Ellison Ltd, Birmingham, where he completed a five year apprenticeship, focused very much on practical disciplines. This was followed by two years as a draughtsman, designing low voltage distribution switchboards.

Anxious to be involved in a sales function, David joined Chamberlain and Hookham Ltd, part of the GEC Group, who were manufacturers of instrumentation products. Here, he was employed as an internal sales engineer.

Two years later, an opportunity arose to join Square D Limited, as an external sales engineer. David's first external sales role took him down south to south west London, where for eight years he developed the business very successfully, to the extent that he was 'head hunted' by Simplex GE.

David joined them as Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands, responsible for selling a wide range of industrial control and lighting products. This is where David also met his first great mentor, Mr Jack Jameson, who taught David selling skills beyond the industry adopted 'features & benefits'. David also had the great privilege of working for the 'mercurial' Mr Jack Welch, who was a massive inspiration for him.

In 1980, an opportunity presented itself to David, to run his own business. The then depleted Power Panels became available to purchase, in truth little more than the name was on offer, the company then had little or no business and no assets of any real worth.

David has devoted the last 25 years in the development of the company, which is now widely accepted as the world's leading manufacturer of complex electrical assemblies, culminating in receiving the Best Factory Award 2005.

Steve Severs B. Met, MBA
Site Operations Director
Saint–Gobain Glass

Steve Severs B. Met, MBA:
Steve Severs is Site Operations Director for Saint–Gobain Glass, based in Eggborough, and is responsible for the company’s operations throughout the UK.  He joined the company as a Coating Line Manager in February 2003 to recruit for and start up the Coating Line.  Featuring the UK’s largest installed vacuum system for the production of coated glass, the facility produces low emissivity and solar control products by coating on float glass substrate via the magnetron coating process.

In 2005, Steve was also awarded responsibility for the newly constructed Saint–Gobain Glass UK laminated glass production facility and became Manufacturing Manager for all processing (Coating and Laminating) before being promoted to Site Operations Director in 2007.  Prior to joining Saint-Gobain Glass, Steve spent 17 years within the UK steel industry, with manufacturing and logistics roles including Manufacturing Manager in steel rolling mills and European Sales Manager.

Saint–Gobain Glass UK:
Saint–Gobain Glass UK was awarded BFA Factory of the Year 2005 and also features in the Sunday Times’ 2010 list of Best Green Companies.  It rolled out an extensive World Class Manufacturing programme from 2007 onwards, playing a key part in the development of the programme across all Saint–Gobain Glass facilities.