Our team
We are a people company

Andy Mair
Managing Director
Andy has been involved with Challenger Solutions since day one — initially sales but subsequently in operations. A pro-active, can do individual, who uses analytical skills and metrics to measure progress, improve performance and drive the businesses forward.

Mike Norman
Director / General Manager
Mike holds a BSc honours degree in Physics and has had an extensive career in EMS industry. Mike is a pivotal part of the management team taking responsibility for the smooth running of the projects throughout the company.

Jon Webb
Technical Internal Sales Manager
Beginning with the company in 2003, Jon has responsibility for Quality and Environmental Management as well as involvement with the Aerospace and Defence side of the business.

Richard Hancock
Sales Manager
Richard has over 25 years business development experience all within the EMS arena, highly skilled in researching and generating new business opportunities.

Phil West
Production Manager
Phil has a H-TEC in telecommunications engineering and 35 years’ experience in the electronics industry. He is responsible for the planning and running of production and meeting required delivery targets.

Scott Marshall
Systems Development Manager
Since joining us in 2006 Scott’s flair for developing management software has been encouraged, enabling him to develop and successfully implement ORC (our unique management software system). This has created new innovative approaches ensuring our clients receive the best possible service and we have metrics necessary to efficiently run & measure our performance.

Matt Hudson
Account Manager
Matt is an experienced project manager and senior buyer with over 30 years’ involvement within the electronics industry.
Early involvement was initially gained from serving an electromechanical apprenticeship at Colchester Lathes. This has formed a really good basis and makes Matt an excellent all rounder.
As Challenger has grown, Matt has also become involved with materials control and reporting.

Steve Freeman
Account Manager
Steve is an experienced and accomplished buyer and project manager with over 30 years’ experience within the electronics industry.
Having worked from OEM, CEM and franchised distribution sectors this gives Steve a really rounded appreciation of all areas of the industry.
Steve has worked in both commercial and military environments having originally served an apprenticeship with Marconi Avionics.

Tina Kelson
UK Sales Manager
Tina has worked with in sales in the Electronics industry for over 25 years gaining knowledge in distribution, procurement and production management, mainly in the component sector.
Working on both sides of the industry fence, Tina has gained insight about how different corporate entities operate and is able to use this to facilitate and negotiate the best solutions for all parties.

Dianne McCormack
Account Manager
Dianne has gained a wealth of experience having spent most of her working life in Electronics.
Originally involved in the printed circuit board industry, before deciding to focus more on the purchasing, planning and organising of builds.
Dianne has worked for specific OEMs coordinating purchasing and controlling production before moving to Challenger where she focuses on procurement and coordination of Legacy builds for specific customers.

Russell Bennett
Account Manager
Russell has over 30 years’ experience in project management and procurement within Contract Electronics Manufacturing in a variety of sectors.
Russell has been involved in fast turnaround prototypes and large quantity projects.
He has an excellent understanding of all aspects of modern electronic production and mentors some of the junior members of the team.

Gary Poole
Senior Electronics Engineer
Gary has over 35 year of experience working in the electronics industry, more than 25 of which have been in a design capacity, both electronic and software.
He has worked in industries such as automobile, oil and gas, industrial control and has extensive experience within the laboratory equipment sector and heating and ventilation control.
Gary holds a First Class BSc Hons Degree in Electronic Product Design.

David Hickson
Account Manager
The early part of David’s career was served in the Communication Branch of the Royal Navy, operating and maintaining important communication equipment.
For the last 12 years David has worked for OEM’s and CEM’s. He has great attention to detail and Project coordinating qualities.
Within Challenger Solutions David has used these skills to fill an important role in the organising of builds for key strategic clients.

Chris Jones
Accounts
Chris is an experienced book keeper and has worked in account for many years. Chris has always looked after Challenger’s account and heads up department.

Lewis Hurley
Sales Engineer
Lewis joined the Projects team at Challenger Solutions in 2018 and has since enjoyed and excelled within the projects department utilising skills as an efficient problem solver.
He enjoys meeting new people and forging lasting relationships and over the coming years Lewis will be growing into a sales role.
Lewis studied Civil Engineering at Coventry University and has a keen interest in a variety of engineering disciplines.

Calum Lynch
Account Manager
Calum is a technically minded production coordinator with a varied experience within the electronics assembly industry.
Early work ranged from mechanical assembly and fault finding through to production paperwork generation and CAD having a natural flare and ability in IT.
Calum has since developed into a key point of contact within projects focussing on the Aerospace & Defence and Oil & Gas sectors.

Angie Symon
Stores Controller
Angie has worked in the electronic industry for over 35 years — involved in PCB assembly and inspection.
In 2007 Angie joined Challenger team as Stores Controller.

Jason Garham
Manufacturing
With over 30 years’ experience Jason has extensive experience in all walks of contract manufacturing.
He is well versed in all avenues of modern manufacturing including test and repair and is a valuable asset for the production department.
Jason has been instrumental in the installation and commissioning of new machinery and is proactive in providing solutions to customers with new ideas.

Priscille Godbold
Account Manager
Priscille has been in this industry for almost 10 years, changing from her customer services roles in accounts and banking. Passionate about customer service.
Her motto in life is Hard work conquers all!

Kelly Wiseman
Administration
Having worked as a PA for many years, Kelly has transferred her organisational and communications skills to the administration section within Challenger. Pleasant telephone manner and skilled in all aspects of administration make Kelly ideal for helping in many areas within the company.

Victor Ogunruku
Frontend Engineer
Victor is an enthusiastic young man and has established his own unique personality within the department.
He is involved primary in the creation of engineering manufacturing work packs and work instructions that are used as part of the manufacturing processes.
Victor holds Honours degree in Electronic Engineering (BEng) from the University of Bedfordshire.

Emma Buchanan
Projects / Buyer
Emma has over 10 years’ experience in office management, audit & compliance and project leadership in the field of Technology & Electronics.
Emma holds NVQS in customer service as well as a Diploma in marketing, in addition to various certificates held from attending direct training from various branded manufacturers.

Connie Payne
Projects / Buyer
Connie studied A levels in Maths and Business and went on to pursue a career in Sales.
After gaining a wide range of skills in customer facing sales roles, Connie decided to move on to something more specific.
She joined Challenger Solutions and after growing her knowledge in electronic components has now moved on to the procurement side of the company, assisting with quoting and purchasing.

Lorna Johnson
Account Manager
Lorna has close to 10 years within Electronics assembly.
She has a flare for purchasing and project control and is an excellent communicator and mentor.
Lorna graduated with a Marketing degree from The University of Northampton.

Janafar Jeyananthan
Lead Frontend Engineer
Janafar is a front end engineer that has an established background on CAD software that allows him to process engineering manufacturing packs effectively.
He is a focused individual with quick learning abilities, his motivation to do well is shown in his ability to turn around paperwork promptly and accurately. He is also involved in the IT aspect of the company resolving day to day PC issues for fellow colleagues.
Janafar holds an BEng Hons degree in Computer Hardware &Software Engineering from Coventry University.

Clair Nickols
Projects / Buyer
Clair is new to the electronics industry but has enjoyed the transition from previous experience in finance and administration sectors.
The key skills learned in finance and administration have been made to full use of at Challenger.

Bradley Mills
Quality Manager
Bradley is an accomplished Quality Professional within the electronics manufacture industry.
He has over 25 years’ experience in the Quality Assurance sector, with a demonstrated history of continuous improvement, data analysis, process improvement and quality management.
Bradley holds a BA Hons in Engineering & Business Management, is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is a Certified IPC Trainer.

Jenny Kaluza
Administration
Jenny has worked at Challenger for several years and works part time in the administration area.
Jenny is efficient and speedy in her work and with a great telephone manner makes her a great asset to the administration team.

Chris Turner
Business Development Manager
Chris has been working within the Printed Circuit Board and Electronic Assembly Markets for nearly 35 years.
He has primarily been involved within the Aerospace & Defence sector.
He joined Challenger in January 2019 and brings his experience in support of the exciting growth planned by Senior Management.

Linna Hu
Accounts
Linna is Challenger Solutions’ accounts assistant. She has achieved a degree in Business management and AAT diplomas.
Since joining Challenger Solutions Linna has gained valuable experience in varied aspects of accounting. Her experience and knowledge will support the continuing growth of the company.

Martin Marshall
Senior Production Engineer
Martin initially served a tool making apprenticeship with the Marconi Company in the late 70’s before moving into production engineering.
Has gained a wealth of experience within both OEM and CEM environments and in all aspects of production engineering.
Martin is a skilled and multitalented engineer and heads our engineering team.

Tom Willson
SP Production Engineer
Tom has been with Challenger from the start of his career and worked on various innovative projects.
Having excellent problem-solving abilities Tom is focussed on working with a select few clients as a project manager.
Tom is conversant with all aspects of electronics manufacturing.

Chrissy Holland
Manufacturing
Chrissy has a wide-ranging history in electronics assembly with over 26 years’ experience and is also a qualified electrician.
She has focussed on conventional assembly of recent years and is conversant with all types of rework and is a proven problem solver.
Chrissy is very organised and is a key link in manufacturing control within Challenger.

Kelly Auty
Administration / PA to Andy Mair
Kelly plays a pivotal role in the smooth running of the admin office where she assists the MD and heads up the team of administrators.
Her eagerness to learn and take on new challenges ensures the smooth transition of the sales admin process — this includes raising invoices and responding to customer queries.

Richard Chambers
Manufacturing
Richard has 19 years SMT experience and 22 years’ experience within the production industry and is the Planner in our SMT manufacturing department.
He has qualification in electronics, business improvement techniques and team leadership.
We are always looking for talented individuals – in all disciplines and at all levels – to join our team.