A local entrepreneur, a company finance chief and a university academic have joined the board of enterprise agency Erewash Partnership.
They are Shaun Moloney, former managing director of Atlas Composites of Ilkeston, Richard Wall, finance director of Saint-Gobain PAM UK, based at Stanton-by-Dale, and Bev Crighton from the University of Derby.
Shaun started his working life as an apprentice at Stanton and Staveley (British Steel, now Saint-Gobain PAM UK). He later joined Advanced Composites in Heanor, which manufactured components for motorsports. He worked for various companies in the new carbon fibre technology sector before setting up Atlas Composites in 1997 with two partners.
The company was sold in 2003 but three years later Shaun managed to buy it back as sole proprietor. Over the next seven years the company doubled in size and secured agreements and research and development contracts with aerospace and defence firms including Rolls-Royce as well as Formula One companies.
With a turnover of £4.5m and employing more than 60 people, the company was again sold with Shaun retained as managing director but, after another re-structuring, he left last year and is now a consultant helping new businesses.
Shaun was previously a Partnership director, but had to stop because of commitments. “I have a lot of knowledge of businesses in the borough and international contacts which I feel would be useful in helping the Partnership, “ he said.
“It has grown in stature and size which is testament to the current board and we want to continue that. There’s a lot we can be proud of with the Partnership’s role in supporting local business and the community.”
Saint-Gobain PAM is a primary supplier of ductile iron and cast iron solutions to the UK’s key utilities, civil engineering and construction sites.
Richard joined the Saint-Gobain group in 2002 and has been in his current post since 2012. There are around 150 employees at the Stanton site.
“I’m a relative newcomer to the area but I have learned a lot about the role and the useful work that the Partnership does in regenerating the local economy,” said Richard.
“Saint-Gobain PAM and the wider group take their corporate social responsibility to local communities seriously. I see being a member of the board of Erewash Partnership as an opportunity to contribute to the area.”
Bev Crighton is employer engagement lead for the Business College at the University of Derby. Her role is to develop the engagement with employers, primarily focusing on employability of both undergraduates and postgraduates. She is also a senior lecturer.
Bev held management roles in banking, newspapers and education before joining the University.
She said: “ I hope we will be able to to facilitate links through the University with business in the Partnership through the use of students, research and academics.”
Ian Viles Partnership chief executive, said: “The board is pleased to welcome these three members, all from different sectors, but all highly experienced and knowledgeable.
“These are challenging times and their experience and expertise will contribute greatly to the Partnership as it continues to grow and support enterprise and help the economy in the Erewash area.”
