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Dave Haslehurst Appointed Managing Director of Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company

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New Board of Directors for Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company
New Board of Directors for Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company

Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company is pleased to announce that Dave Haslehurst has been appointed as Managing Director, succeeding Howard Pickard, who has led the company for an incredible 30 years. Dave’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the company as it moves towards its 150th anniversary in 2026.

Joining Dave on the Board of Directors are Andrew Quayle as Operations Director, Gail Bright as Financial Director and Robert Pickard as Non-Executive Director. Together, this provides a wealth of experience and knowledge to the leadership team, ensuring continued growth and innovation at The Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company.

Dave, who brings extensive experience in engineering leadership, business development and employee engagement, has a strong track record of driving sustainable growth and fostering customer-focused cultures. He expressed his excitement about the future:

“I’m honoured to take on the role of Managing Director and work alongside such a dedicated team. With the support of Andrew and Gail, we are focused on driving the company forward, embracing new opportunities, and continuing to build on the foundation of excellence that Howard has established.”

As part of the transition, Howard Pickard will remain an integral part of the business in his new role as Executive Chairman. Howard’s leadership and vision have been central to the company’s success over the years, and he will continue to provide guidance and support during the next phase of development and growth.

Reflecting on the transition, Howard said:
“This transition marks a significant milestone for the Pickard family as we approach our 150th anniversary next year. It will be the first time since 1892 that a Pickard has not served as Managing Director. After 30 years in the role, I believe it is the right time to continue the transition of the leadership and management of the company, and I have every confidence that Dave, Andrew, and Gail will lead the company to even greater heights.”

The Leeds and Bradford Boiler Company has a long history of innovation and excellence, and with this new leadership team in place, the company is poised for a bright future as it celebrates its rich heritage and looks to its future.

LBBC Group remains ‘open’ during COVID-19.

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LBBC Group has been able to remain open during these challenging times with production maintained and others working remotely where appropriate. Please maintain contact as required with your usual team members.

All personnel who are working on-site are operating within strict rules on social distancing in all areas and with the necessary COVID Safe cleaning and disinfection protocols. These apply equally to visitors or subcontractors on-site.

We wish all our customers and suppliers to keep safe during these challenging times and look forward to continuing to support our customers as we have for over 140 years.

To see how LBBC Technologies are operating during the pandemic, click here.

LBBC Group ranked in the 5th annual Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100

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LBBC Group based in Leeds is one of only 8 companies from Yorkshire that feature in the league table which ranks Britain’s small and medium-sized private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.

LBBC Group who were ranked 72nd have grown international sales by 50% over 2 years with international sales of £9m of a turnover of £12.5m for year ended March 2018.

Howard Pickard, Managing Director and one of the fifth generation of the Pickard family to run the LBBC Group, said “We are proud of our recent growth across our Group of companies which has mainly come from exports of our world-leading autoclave technology into the investment casting industry. To continue our growth, we have expanded the LBBC Group with the addition of the Resomation and Baskerville product lines.”

Reproduced by permission. Copyright Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100

The eight companies headquartered in Yorkshire (which also featured eight last year) include seven new entrants to the league table. Their international sales have grown by an average of 106% a year over two years to a total of £61m, and together they employ 829 people.

The SME Export Track 100 is sponsored by WorldFirst, DHL Express and Heathrow Airport, and is supported by the government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign. It is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm.

Jonathan Quin, CEO and co-founder at WorldFirst, the title sponsor, commented:

 “At WorldFirst we’d like to be the first to congratulate all the businesses that feature on this year’s top 100. International markets present tremendous opportunities for UK businesses and the rewards of being a successful exporter are clear from the growth demonstrated by all the businesses here. That said, there are challenges and risks too and so we should also recognise the brave and committed leadership that has got them to this point.”

Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, commented:

“SMEs are fundamental to achieving our target of increasing exports as a percentage of GDP to 35%, so it is vital we give them the recognition they deserve. The exporters listed in this year’s SME Export Track 100 are pioneers whose example should be followed by ambitious businesses across the UK.”

This year’s SME Export Track 100 achieved, on average, record-high international sales growth of 89% a year over two years to a total of £833m. Together they employ more than 8,900 staff, having added 3,000 jobs over the period.

 

Images: Reproduced by permission. Copyright Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100