Non-Executive Directors:
Richard Stephenson
Richard Stephenson joined the Group as a Non-Executive Chairman in 2006. He is a member of Duke Street Capital's Operating Partners.
Richard's most recent role was as CEO of Madison Filter, a buyout backed by Duke Street Capital. Madison was a leading producer of specialised industrial filters with manufacturing facilities in four continents.
Prior to Madison, Richard held senior positions in a broad range of manufacturing and service businesses with a strong international flavour.
Besides Deloro Stellite Richard is Non-Executive Chairman of Navimo and Xafinity, both Duke Street Capital investments.
Eric Priestley
Eric Priestley joined the Group as a Non-Executive Board member in 2006.
Eric returned to Europe after 8 years in the US, where he was Chief Operating Officer of Jefferson Smurfit Corp, the world’s largest producer of paper-based packaging products. Prior to that he was President & Chief Executive of Rexam Inc. He has also been a main Board Director of two FTSE 100 companies: Redland plc (1986-88) and Rexam plc (1988-96).
His career has spanned a range of manufacturing and distribution businesses as well as extensive international experience. Currently, he is Chairman of Wastelink Group (a Duke Street Capital investment), Lynx Express Limited and Weir Holdings, Deputy Chairman of Avon Rubber plc and a non-executive Director of Southwire Company.
Eric is Chairman of Duke Street Capital's Operating Partners.
Executive Directors:
Hans Nilsson
Hans Nilsson joined Deloro Stellite as Chief Executive in 2006. Prior to this he worked for Spectris plc from 1997 to 2005, first as a Chief Operating Officer and from 2001 onwards as Chief Executive. He has a masters degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from Stanford University. He was previously the European managing director of Flextronics, prior to which he held positions at Hewlett Packard and ABB.
Neil Fleming
Neil joined the Group as Group Finance Director in 2003. He gained degrees in both physics and economics & law, before becoming a chartered accountant. Following a number of finance roles in industry, he joined venture capital backed footwear business Texon International as Group Finance Director.
Guenther Clos
Guenther Clos’ career with Deloro Stellite GmbH began as a Project Engineer in 1982. Prior to becoming Managing Director, he served as Export Manager from 1983 to 1987, Technical Director from 1987 to 1991 and Operations Director from 1991 to 1996. In January 2004 he became Chief Executive of the Speciality Products Division.
John Pawlikowski
John Pawlikowski became Chief Executive of the Consumables Division in January 2004. Originally a chartered accountant, he joined the company in 1994 from Ernst and Young. After the MBO in 1997 he became the Group's first Chief Financial Officer. He subsequently became Senior Vice President and then Chief Operating Officer. In this latter role he was responsible for all the Group's North American operations and the joint venture in Shanghai.
Institutional Directors:
John Harper, Duke Street Capital
John Harper joined Duke Street Capital in 2000 from HSBC Private Equity for whom he worked in London and Dusseldorf and where he worked on a broad spectrum of mid-market private equity transactions. John holds a Modern Languages degree from Durham University. He speaks English and German.