Meet the Team – Who We Are

Managing Director of the Group since 1985. Since leaving school in the late 60’s I served a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship and my hobby at that time was scuba diving. In 1975 I went to the Underwater Training Centre at Fort William to attend an Air Diving Course and was then employed by Oceaneering International in Aberdeen as an Air Diver.

I then progressed again from Atmospheric Diving Suit Operator to a Saturation Diver, then Supervisor and finally Construction Superintendent. In 1985 I started Submarine Manufacturing & Products Ltd and incorporated it into a Group of Companies in the following years taking us to where we are now.

I served my time as a full Mechanical Engineering Apprentice to HNC level and Started in the Offshore Diving Industry in 1977. My first job as a Dive Systems Technician was for J Ray McDermott International LTD and I worked up to Equipment Superintendent, with responsibility for both the North Sea Area and West Africa. I later progressed through a number of offshore companies, ETPM Deep-Sea Ltd, Stolt Offshore Ltd finally becoming Equipment & Base Manager for Fraser Diving International LTD Dubai.

I joined SMP in 2005 as the Engineering Director to assist Phil in expanding the company. My first job was to initiate the formation of an in-house design capability to improve our Engineering Solution Service. This new process immediately provided a better customer experience, especially during the design and manufacturing stages of new and specialist bespoke products.

My previous employment has always seen me work within the compressed air industry, however, I worked initially as a time-served engineering fitter for an industrial compressor manufacturer. In 2003 I took a slight career change by working for a compressed air service and sales company, later moving into a sales role and never looking back on my new job role. I continued to improve my sales skills and joined SMP in December 2010.

Regions: UK, Scandinavia, Africa and Spain

I joined SMP in June 2008 after gaining a BTEC in Engineering and a BEng Hon’s in Computer Aided Engineering. My first role was working as a draughtsman and I’ve progressed through to Design Engineer Manager. I’m now leading a team of engineers to develop and enhance future SMP products and systems.

I started at Submarine Manufacturing and Products in 2005 as an apprentice after leaving school.

Since then I have worked my way up to become Enginering Projects Team Leader.

I love working at SMP with all the different challenges it brings and finding solutions to these projects.

In my spare time I enjoy Scuba Diving and going to concerts.

Experienced Accounts Manager with over 40 years experience in the manufacturing, construction and agricultural industries.

I joined Submarine Manufacturing in October 2011 after being made redundant from Fylde Interiors Ltd after 15 years working as the Office Manager /Accountant.  I am responsible for all aspects of running a busy accounts department and the production of management accounts information; this has allowed me to introduce strong accounting systems and controls that have benefited the smooth running of the Finance Department.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time on my allotment, gardening, walking, fishing, DIY and spending time with my family.

I’m a qualified toolmaker and turner and have many years’ experience in manufacturing and management. I joined SMP in January 2011 as the stores manager and I believe it’s essential to provide a first-class service to each and every customer.

Paul Sanderson, 57, recently joined us with 30 years’ experience in sales of high-pressure air and gas systems, including long spells with Bauer and Hamworthy. Paul will be expanding the business into new and existing markets and is well placed to work closely with clients understanding their needs and offering solutions. If you have any enquiries for high pressure compressed air, pipework, compressor servicing, nitrogen generation or any of SMP’s vast portfolio of products.

You can contact Paul by calling the Sales office on +44(0)1772 687775 or emailing psanderson@smp-ltd.co.uk.

Hobbies and interests: football, badminton and indeed watching most sports. Paul enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Chris comes from an interesting background starting as a Commercial Diver over 25 years ago in Australia. He originally joined SMP in 2004 until 2012 only leaving to further develop his career taking roles in Programme and Technical Management for several major Subsea Contractors in demanding Operational Roles. He has since re-joined SMP in February 2019, mandated to manage client relationships for projects that require a high degree of technical understanding in areas that include Hyperbaric Medical / HBOT, Oil & Gas, Renewables and Military applications.

Chris offers a highly professional level of service to both internal and external customers. He can communicate at all levels and possesses strong interpersonal skills that are essential to deliver the products and services that SMP offer.

He says… ‘I have been lucky to have worked with many very clever and dedicated people from many different disciplines whom I have been able to learn from and grow with enabling me to be the professional I am today’

Aside from his work, he is enjoys his young family that are his greatest joy whilst juggling many DIY challenges (because he can!)

My name is Ellie and I am the Sales Administrator for SMP, which means that I am responsible for various administration roles within the sales team, including completing & issuing export documentation.

I joined SMP in May 2019 and prior to that I worked for a fostering agency since joining as an apprentice at the age of 16. I have over 5 years’ administration and customer service experience as a result.

I have worked for SMP Ltd since January 2007. My role as PA to the MD is generally to manage Phil’s diary system, correspondence, travel arrangements, screening calls, delegation to departments within the Company, production/formatting of documents and presentations, managing SMP’s HR files/requirements, organising events, etc. Previous to SMP I have over 25 years’ experience in Senior Secretarial/PA roles in a wide range of industries from chemical production to brown site property development, local authority and education authority. When out of work I enjoy travelling, keeping fit by running and Pilates, socializing, wine, cheese and giant chocolate buttons!

Previous working experience – I served my time as an ET(ME) in the Royal Navy until 2012 where I gained a experience in maintaining main auxiliary systems onboard.

How did you come and join SMP – I took up a role at SMP in 2012 as a member of the manufacturing and servicing team working in the workshop and out on site on various projects. In late 2018 I was given the opportunity to take up a new role as engineering team leader which entails overseeing the manufacturing and servicing of products.

For a number of years was a Lending Manager with one of the big four banks covering the Fylde Coast. Following the restructure of banking I turned to education for both myself and in employment as an Adviser/Tutor for Apprentices covering a multitude of trades and was a Quality Manager for 3 Learndirect Centres.

I joined SMP in 2013 and now put my previous experience and knowledge of my hobby skills of sailing/cruising to use within this very diverse industry. My role as Purchaser involves purchasing anything and everything that is needed by our production and stores departments to enable them to provide our customers with the material/equipment they need. I liaise with all our suppliers and contractors to put sometimes a very large jigsaw together!

Apart from being on the water I enjoy travelling, gardening skiing, my cats and my Koi and doing the occasional experiences of tank driving, Aston Martin driving, 4 x 4 driving and being zoo keeper for the day!

After completing a degree in Information Systems Design, I embarked on a career working for several different companies right from an online Travel Agents to an online Restaurant Guide.

I started at SMP in 2012 working in IT and Marketing including looking after all internal computer systems, the website and social media pages for the company.

In my spare time I enjoy participating in many different sports and I also campaigning to protect the environment and protect vulnerable animals.