LLANELEC - Key Persons
Andrew started his engineering career at TRW Steering Systems LTD as a machine operator in 1996 where he developed as a line engineer in the power rack machine shop. In 2005, Andrew started working at Groundhog UK LTD as a CNC Bandsaw and Punch operator, later becoming a production supervisor and spending 3 years attending night school at Margam college.
In 2008, Andrew joined Barford Engineering where he ran the facility for 10 years carrying out all engineering and leadership tasks.
Andrew has been production manager at Llanelec precision engineering since 2018.
Courtney John is the founder of Llanelec. At the age of 18 Courtney began working for himself; after designing, manufacturing and supplying fairground rides to some of the country's leading fairgrounds for over 15 years, Courtney then established Llanelec as a leading manufacturing facility to The Ministry of Defence. Llanelec has worked with the MOD for over 40 years.
Courtney has been part of numerous development programmes with the MOD. Most notably, an official letter of thanks was written to Courtney by an MOD Field Marshall thanking him for saving lives after redesigned the roadwheel for 'Warthog' . The wheel was redesigned from composite to aluminium including hub, allowing the wheel to be changed out in the field after a failure. The letter of thanks came after the ‘Gulf War'.
Those who know Courtney understand that he is a supreme Engineer, businessman and Llanelec truly owes everything to him.
Job Titles:
- Commercial and Strategy Advisor
With over 30 years' experience in Defence, Davey commenced his Manufacturing and Engineering career as an Aircraft Technician in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Corps of the British Army.
Up until 2016, Davey's career was in the Aviation Sector where he was qualified as an Aircraft Engineer both Military and Civilian aircraft. Back in the commercial environment he delivered many Projects and Programmes before taking on Director roles, (Engineering, Technical, Operations) within several blue-chip Defence companies, such as Cobham, Babcock and latterly General Dynamics.
He now holds the position of Operations Director at Llanelec where he looks to bring his wealth of experience to good effect and support the company's vision.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Finance Director
- Member of
An experienced accountant Gary trained and qualified with Deloitte in Cardiff, spending 10 years in the BSG department travelling nationally and internationally. During this time Gary gained valuable industry knowledge developing skills in all aspects of accountancy for businesses of various activities and sizes from small sole traders / partnerships to companies in excess of £15million turnover. Gary also held Senior positions in numerous audits performed by Deloitte, which included some of Wales's high profile businesses (Ty Nant Water, Tower Colliery and Farmers Union of Wales).
Gary was instrumental in piloting new accounting software for Deloitte, which formed the basis of SME statutory accounts production used in all UK BSG departments.
In 2003 Gary became a member of ACCA, becoming FCCA a few years later.
Upon leaving Deloitte, alongside his wife Karen, Gary established a bookkeeping business advising and preparing all aspects of accounts and management accounting systems. Over the past 20 years, the business developed into being consultancy based as Gary became a management accountant consultant / part time FD to many SME's within SE Wales and West of England, gaining additional experience dealing with established, growing and startup businesses.
Job Titles:
- Production Planning Manager
Gethin completed an HNC in computer aided manufacture while completing a 4 Year Apprenticeship in Toolmaking at Turnmil Engineering. Gethin was a Machine Shop Supervisor for a further 3 years at Mono Equipment.
Further development has seen Gethin gain valuable knowledge and experience of various CAD/CAM packages and multi-axis Turn/Mill Machining.
Gethin worked at C R Hollands as a technical sales engineer manager supplying and supporting engineering companies in South Wales with cutting tools and their programming/process needs.
It was during this period he worked on numerous projects with Llanelec for the Ministry of Defence, the technical ability displayed demonstrated that Gethin was going to be a major asset. After 12 Months of supporting each other Gethin was offered a position to further develop his career within the engineering world.
Job Titles:
- Director of Support Services
Nicola is a French and German graduate from Reading University.
Having a passion for finance, she also worked in Midland/HSBC whilst studying for her degree. She gained her PGCE and taught GCSE and A Level for several years.
Nicola married and started a family. She joined the family business and worked for her dad, Courtney John.
She launched Languages For All three years later- a business venture promoting the learning of languages for all ages.
Nicola re-joined the company in 2017, as part of a strategy to move the company forward and was appointed director in 2018.
"I believe it's our people that make the difference at Llanelec. I am proud of our team here. As Henry Ford said:
Job Titles:
- Director
- Engineer
- Managing Director
Time served Engineer at Llanelec, Spencer spent some time out of the business playing professional rugby union for Llanelli Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Wales.
Spencer gained 18 caps for his country and is the second youngest prop forward to be play for his country but had to retire at the young age of 28 through injury.
After returning to Llanelec, Spencer was appointed Director in 2017. In January 2020 Spencer was then appointed MD; he is now firmly driving Llanelec into the future.
Steve Clarke joined the Management team at Llanelec as the Head of Quality in September. Steve has vast experience in both Engineering and Quality gained within the Automotive Industry.
Steve left Loughborough University in 1987 and entered the automotive world with Ford Motor Company, where he gained in-depth knowledge of production processes and procedures covering many aspects of machining, assembly and quality assurance.
After 35 years in automotive, Steve left the industry to join Llanelec, bringing a skillset and enthusiasm to support the growing business at Llanelec Precision Engineering and to further enhance the management team.