It's something we've been planning for some time: the inevitable 'hand-over at the top': our Sales Director Gareth Evans has taken over from long-serving Keith Wardrope, who is stepping back from the role after leading HPP with brothers Martin and Stephen Hill for almost 25 years.
The transition has been two years in the planning, with Gareth first stepping up from Sales Director to become Deputy MD to work alongside Keith back in May 2024.
"I'm extremely pleased and proud in equal measure," says Gareth, who first joined HPP when it was in its infancy 34 years ago. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would end up here when I look back on almost 35 years after coming for an interview with Stephen Hill!
"It is a privilege to take over from Keith, who taught me so much about this business, and the industry we work in, over the time we've worked together, and I'd like to thank him for his support and guidance over the past 20 years, or more.
"Thanks also to Martin and Stephen for putting their trust in me - I look forward to building on the success we've achieved and working with our directors Dan (Mounsey, Marketing and Business Development), Andy (Evans, IT) and the wider team to make it happen."
"After around 44 years in the KBB industry, with over 24 years of this at HPP, it is with some sadness - and some delight - that I can announce it's finally time to start moving towards more of a support role and eventual retirement," says Keith.
"But what is great news is that I get to handover to who, I believe, will be one of the next great people to bring honesty, commitment and innovation to the industry and HPP.
"Gareth and I have worked together for over 20 years now and I trust him as a friend and as a person of sound business sense and commitment to the people who work with him, while always looking for ways to make the customer's journey a great one here at HPP.
"He has an outstanding knowledge of the KBB sector and has always pushed forward to make HPP become one of the most recognised names in the industry, looking at new products and new systems that make it easier for our customers to fulfil their business needs."
Gareth says his focus is now on maintaining HPP's steady, manageable growth: "We'll continue to embrace new technology to improve our systems but also service levels to customers and strive to set standards recognised as the benchmark for excellence in our sector," adds Gareth, an old boy of Crompton House School in Oldham.
He is also working with Keith, Dan, Andy and the wider team on the next HPX event in September, which will see our partner suppliers and businesses from all over the UK and Europe showcase their new products and systems in a repeat of the one-day expo that proved a huge success two years ago.
Congratulations to Gareth and best wishes to Keith on his step towards retirement… although no doubt he'll still be a regular visitor to the office for a while yet!
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