Michael Kaye has been appointed the new General Manager at The Combustion Engineering Association (CEA). With a strong background in mechanical and design engineering, coupled with years of industry leadership, Michael brings both expertise and a fresh perspective to this long-standing trade association and educational charity. Graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Michael began his career as a design engineer at APV Baker PMC where he honed his technical skills before moving into leadership roles across various industries. His career spans sectors including textile testing instrumentation and bulk materials handling, where he earned a reputation for fostering innovation, building effective teams, and driving business growth. At Flexco, where he also served as General Manager, Michael led initiatives that not only grew the business but also set new benchmarks for industry standards. In addition to his professional achievements, Michael has also been deeply involved in association work where, as a long-time member and former president of the Materials Handling Engineers Association (MHEA), he gained valuable experience in bringing members together, organising impactful events, and Coventry-based steering systems manufacturer Pailton Engineering has appointed Dave Pound as its new Managing Director. With extensive experience in tier-one automotive supply, Dave is set to drive the family-run business forward. “The attraction was a business that is clearly doing well, but wants to do even better,” he said. “Before taking this role, I had a lot of interaction with people here, from the family to the team members on the shop floor. It felt like everyone was ready to embrace change, and I’m convinced that we can make a positive difference.” After earning an engineering degree from Loughborough University, Dave began his career as an apprentice at GKN Hardy Spicer in 1984. He later held roles in production planning and sales before joining Dunlop-Topy Wheels in 1995, progressing through commercial and operational management. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Dave led multiple business transformations, notably at Kautex UK Ltd., Kautex Unipart Limited, and Unipart Powertrain Applications. His expertise in automation, particularly with collaborative robots, is something he is eager to introduce. “I’ve got a lot of experience working with automation, collaborative robots in particular,” he enthused. “With the right plan in place, we can automate many things we do here. This will make things safer for workers and free them up for more skilled tasks.” Despite this focus on modernisation, Dave remains committed to Pailton Engineering’s unique strength—customisation. “Although there are other companies that manufacture steering systems, there is simply no other manufacturer that can offer the level of customisation that we can provide, and that will remain at the heart of what we do.” 44 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS March 2025 www.hpmag.co.uk NEW FACES Multidisciplinary engineering firm adi Group has appointed Alex Rudzinski as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). His arrival supports adi Group’s commitment to strengthening leadership and systems to drive performance and meet its ambitious five-year growth plan. Rudzinski brings over 25 years’ experience in corporate and private equity-backed businesses, where he has played a key role in growth, financial performance, and strategic insight. Before joining adi Group, he held senior financial roles in entrepreneurial, growth-focused businesses across multiple sectors, gaining expertise in managing complex financial structures. He commented: “I’m thrilled to join a business with both solid foundations and ambitious plans for growth, and I look forward to utilising my expertise to provide forwardlooking, data-driven insights to facilitate that growth.” As CFO, he will strengthen financial controls, oversee accounting, and ensure longterm success. His role includes delivering timely, actionable data to support adi’s 17 businesses and guiding executive decisionmaking. adi Group appoints new CFO Dave Pound to lead steering systems manufacturer Michael Kaye becomes General Manager of the Combustion Engineering Association promoting technical excellence, skills that align perfectly with the CEA’s mission. Commenting on behalf of the CEA, President Mick Casey shared his thoughts on Michael’s appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Michael as our new General Manager. His leadership comes at a pivotal time for the CEA as we navigate changes across the combustion-related sectors, and his vision for enhancing member engagement and promoting sustainable practices will undoubtedly strengthen our role in the industry.” One of Michael’s immediate priorities is overseeing the CEA’s transition into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). He also aims to expand training programmes such as the Boiler Operation Accreditation Scheme (BOAS) while building stronger connections with academic institutions to nurture future talent in combustion engineering. Under his leadership, the CEA also plans to reinvigorate its events calendar with site visits, networking opportunities, and conferences designed to deliver real value to members. The first of these initiatives – a site visit to James Cropper’s paper mill scheduled for February 2025 – will combine technical insights with opportunities for collaboration.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=