Specialist tanker operator Hutchinson has appointed Iain Sharples to be its operations manager as the Middlesbrough firm targets more transport contracts.
Sharples joins the business from chemical transport operator GCA and brings extensive experience of dangerous goods transport, operational planning and fleet management.
His career began in the British Army, where he served for eight years working across transport, maintenance and logistics.
He progressed to overseeing transport operations supporting an entire brigade, with responsibility for vehicle availability, maintenance coordination, fuel logistics and operational planning.
Sharples said: “Hutchinson has a strong reputation in chemical transport and there’s a real ambition to grow the business. That’s an exciting opportunity to be part of, particularly with the experience already within the team and the relationships the company has built with its customers.
“My background has taught me to look at the whole operation rather than individual departments. Good planning is essential, but so is recognising problems early and having people who can respond when circumstances change.”
MD Rhys Hutchinson added: “We’ve worked hard to build a business that major chemical companies trust with their transport and we’re ambitious about what we can achieve next.
“Iain brings the operational experience and understanding of the industry we need as we grow. He knows the importance of good planning, but he’s also someone who understands what happens out on the road and the pressures our customers face.”
