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
Operations Director & Projects 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
QMS & EMS Deputy
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
NPI 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
CTO & Deputy Operations Director
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
Materials 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.

Jessica Webber
Materials Purchasing / Expediting
Jessica joined Challenger in 2019 — Starting in material logistics, Jessica has now moved to the administration side and now assists purchasing with order progression/expediting. Jess has an excellent work ethic and a can-do attitude.

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.

Debbie Farrow
Materials Purchasing/Expediting
Debbie is one of the newer members of the Challenger team after joining us in 2018.
Gaining experience in our administration department before moving over to procurement and now assists with quoting and purchasing. Equipped with great telephone manner, Debbie is very methodical and efficient.

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.

Lee Cartwright
Deputy Production Manager
Lee has worked at Challenger for over 25 years. A specialist in all SMT disciplines, using his experience and expertise, Lee’s role now includes deputizing for our production Manager.

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.

Ayo Kadi
Account Manager
Having come from a specialist Aerospace & Defence electronic sourcing company — Ayo has joined Challenger’s growing procurement department.
Ayo’s valuable past experience coupled with her enthusiasm further strengthens Challenger’s ability to protect customers from the current electronic market shortages.

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.

Lewis Hurley
Pre Production Manager
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.

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.

Jess Williams
Account Manager
Jess comes from a customer service role with 12 years of experience handling clients. This valuable experience is transferable to Challenger, where she looks after global logistics, stock control and dealing with specific customer accounts.

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!

Trevor Rogers
Purchasing Manager
Trevor is a seasoned buyer who has spanned several industries and brings many years of experience to the role. Our supplier base is in safe hands with Trevor. He is easy to deal with and believes in treating everybody just as though they are customers.

Connie Payne
Account Manager
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.

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.

Johanna Maynard
Administration
Newly appointed to the Challenger team, Johanna provides our reception and admin support.
Having previously worked within the financial sector for many years, Jo brings vast experience in customer focused service and handling clients.

Jenny Kaluza
Projects
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
A & D Sales
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 Manager
Linna is Challenger Solutions’ accounts manager. 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.

Stacey Earl
Materials Purchasing/Expediting
Stacey joined Challenger Solutions in 2022.
Having come from a specialist Aerospace & Defence Electronic Sourcing Company, Stacey has an excellent work ethic and a can-do attitude.

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.

Sarah Chambers
Client Manager
“Coming from manufacturing background, progressing on to purchasing credit control and customer account management, I have the skills required to successfully run Challenger’s customer focused box build department with the great team here.”

Vicky Williams
Packing and UK logistics
“I have worked at Challenger for 11 years in various departments and now I head up packing and UK logistics.
In this fast moving department of dispatch, it’s key that I have an understanding of PCBA and the intricate handling of the electronic devices we ship to clients here in UK.”

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
Production Manager
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.