Hydraulics & Pneumatics July/August 2022

Siemens has appointed Sarah Black-Smith as general manager of its Motion Control business in the UK. Black-Smith takes on the role after a successful run as head of factory operations at Siemens’ Congleton factory, where she was responsible for all production, lean operations and the Engineering teams. The appointment further underlines Siemens' commitment to strengthening gender equality across the organisation and its drive to increase the number of women in engineering. In 2021 half of graduates and 42% of intern recruits were women. Black-Smith’s career with Siemens spans almost 20 years. She holds a BEng in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from Loughborough University and an MSc in Operations Excellence from Cranfield University. Black-Smith was in a placement at Alstom Power when it was sold to Siemens in 2003. Siemens then sponsored Black-Smith’s final year, taking her on as a young graduate joining as a Lean Implementer in Lincoln in 2004 progressing to Manufacturing Manager in 2010. When a new opportunity was presented to her, she moved to the Northwest to work as a production manager at Siemens’ Congleton factory. Black-Smith subsequently became head of manufacturing in 2014 and head of factory operations in 2016, a post she held until now. In September last year, Black-Smith was made Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. She comments: “In my new role as general manager of the Motion Control division I will be responsible for growing the business and increase our strategic positioning in the UK industry. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to working as a team with other general managers of Siemens’ businesses and our sales teams to promote digital industries. At the end of the day, we need to work together to deliver value for our customers.” 122 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS July/August 2022 www.hpmag.co.uk New general manager for Siemens’ UK Motion Control business NEW FACES PCL has appointed Claire Tonks as its new business development manager. Tasked with developing and growing new and existing OEM and end user accounts, Tonks brings considerable expertise to PCL from previous positions in the energy, industrial and automotive markets. Used to working closely with engineers and across all areas of business, she has in-depth knowledge of technical sales, and operates strategically to grow customer databases and increase company turnover. Tonks comments: “I’m looking forward to getting stuck in, drilling down into target areas for PCL’s products to determine which customers they will be of benefit to and bring them to market.” Tonks has received the customary warm welcome from the team. PCL’s sales & marketing director, Lee Wright, says: “Claire is a great fit for both the role and our company, and has already demonstrated her commitment to identifying solutions that will help new prospects and current customers to develop and thrive. “Her account management style is to focus on long term, rather than transactional relationships, which will promote growth for both PCL and its partners. We are excited to see what she will achieve.” New business development manager for PCL Claire Tonks. Holmbury has recently welcomed Paul Sharratt to the team in the position of area sales manager East UK. Sharratt has a proven track record in the hydraulics industry, having cut his teeth as a mobile service technician and service engineer. He further developed his skills as a depot manager and then business development manager with companies such as Pirtek, Hydraquip, ERIKS and Nationwide Access. A business development role with Kal Mining took Sharratt into new markets such as quarries, waste and heavy plant. These roles have provided him with much invaluable hands-on experience and wider technical knowledge, which he is looking forward to applying in his new role at Holmbury. Holmbury appoints new area sales manager Paul Sharratt. Sarah Black-Smith.