Job Title: Group Managing Director
Company: Thurston Group
Tell us a bit about yourself. This can include telling us what fires you up about the job you do, your professional achievements, your career highlights. What inspires you? What attracted you to pursue a career in manufacturing? Is there anything else you’d like to say about either your job or UK manufacturing?
I’m proud to lead Thurston Group, one of the UK’s top modular building manufacturers. With over 20 years in the sector, I’ve always been energised by building relationships, driving growth, and delivering high-quality, sustainable spaces. Since joining Thurston in 2018, I’ve helped grow turnover by over £26m and secured a strong forward pipeline.
My passion lies in shaping high-performing teams, opening up new markets and raising standards across our industry. Manufacturing appeals to me because it blends innovation, engineering and real-world impact. I’m especially inspired by the resilience and creativity of UK manufacturing. It’s an exciting time to be part of a sector that’s constantly adapting and moving forward.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t confuse being busy with being effective. Slow down, learn to delegate early and don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help. Focus on relationships as much as results, and above all, back yourself – you’ll figure it out, even when you don’t know how.
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
Shipping containers. It’s a deceptively simple piece of engineering, but it revolutionised global trade. The standardisation, durability, stackability and ability to seamlessly transfer between ships, trucks and trains changed how the world moves goods.
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
I didn’t set out to be in manufacturing. I fell into it by accident, but I became hooked on the pace, complexity and tangible impact we can make as a sector. What drives me now is scale, speed and building something that outlasts any one of us. I’ve also
If you weren’t in manufacturing what would be your dream job?
A leader in a high-performance sports team. Something like a Director of Football at a top club. I love the idea of building elite teams, creating a winning culture and driving people to perform at their best under pressure. There are so many parallels between sport and business strategy without quoting books etc, mindset, talent and leadership. That kind of environment would absolutely fire me up.