People who take pride in getting it right.
Our Team
A team shaped by experience, curiosity and accountability.
Faltec Europe is built on people who care about the detail. Our team brings together engineers, operators, specialists and leaders who share the same mindset: stay practical, stay open, and always look for a better way.
We combine long-standing expertise with fresh thinking, creating a culture where ideas move quickly and everyone plays a part in improving how we work.
Responsible Engineering
Collaboration
at every level.
We keep communication clear, questions welcome, and egos low. Whether it’s solving a tooling challenge, piloting a new material, or supporting a customer through a tight deadline, our teams work side by side with a shared goal: deliver reliable results.
- Cross-functional approach from engineering to operations
- Fast decision-making and clear accountability
- Pride in personal ownership and high standards
- Inclusive mindset grounded in our values
Our Leadership
Meet the Team.
Guidance, clarity and a culture built on trust.
Our leadership team brings experience from across automotive, aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing. They set the direction, maintain our values and ensure every project receives the attention it deserves.
Alice Ambrose-Thurman
Managing Director
Dan Dales
Plant Manager
John Walker
Head of Commercial
Craig Eccles
Head of Production
Rod Jackson
Head of Production Control
Adrian Spiller
Head of Engineering & Quality
Beth McAdam
Head of HR
Gavin Cleminson
Production Senior Supervisor
Scott Cooper
Head of Finance
Ben Brignall
Head of Maintenance & Toolroom
Alan Baker
Head of IT
Steve Archibald
Production Senior Supervisor
Lee Miller
Head of NPI
Paul Brown
Senior Engineer
Sarah Eccleston
Procurement Lead
Gavin Pearce
Head of Health, Safety and Environment
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it’s like to work with us?
Our people are our best example.
Alice Ambrose-Thurman
Managing Director
A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Company Secretary, Alice built her career in automotive manufacturing after starting at KPMG and spending time at Nissan in Sunderland. She joined Faltec Europe in 2017 as Finance Manager and has progressed through a number of senior roles to her current position. Alice also acts as the key link between Faltec Europe and its listed parent company in Japan.
Motivated by fast-paced environments and building strong, values-led teams, Alice is particularly proud of the culture at Faltec Europe, which has been recognised with the North East Automotive Alliance’s Employer of the Year award. Outside of Faltec, she holds several non-executive roles, including trustee of Durham Cathedral.
Dan Dales
Plant Manager
Dan joined Faltec Europe in 2017, initially working as a translator before moving into production and then project management. He was closely involved in the development and opening of the IAMP site and related major product launches, before progressing through departmental management roles to Plant Manager. This journey has given him a strong understanding of how commercial, operational and stakeholder priorities intersect.
What Dan enjoys most about his role is the opportunity to work across the business and create a positive, supportive working environment for colleagues. Outside of work, he is a keen swimmer and runner and enjoys travelling with his wife and two daughters.
John Walker
Head of Commercial
John joined Faltec in 2016 and brings a strong blend of technical and commercial experience. He began his career through an engineering apprenticeship before progressing into commercial roles across advanced manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, oil and gas and automotive.
John values working as part of a close-knit, values-led team. Outside of work, John is a keen football fan, a close follower of Newcastle United, enjoys playing chess, spending time with his family and long walks with his dog, Humphrey.
Craig Eccles
Head of Production
Craig joined Faltec in 2017 and has over 16 years of manufacturing experience, including 14 in the automotive sector. He began his career as an Operator, progressing through Team Leader and Supervisor roles before joining Faltec as Senior Supervisor and later being promoted to Head of Production. This progression gives him a strong, practical understanding of production at every level.
Craig enjoys tackling complex operational challenges and driving continuous improvement, particularly in high-pressure environments. Outside of work, he is a keen sports fan with interests ranging from football and Formula 1 to cricket, NFL and combat sports – and is also a self-proclaimed number one Taylor Swift fan.
Rod Jackson
Head of Production Control
Rod joined Faltec in 1999 and has built his career within the business, progressing from Storeman in the warehouse through a series of supervisory roles to his current position. This journey gives him deep, end-to-end knowledge of Faltec’s operations and a strong, people-focused leadership approach grounded in practical experience.
Rod is motivated by developing teams, solving complex operational challenges and building resilient systems that help people perform at their best. Outside of work, he is actively involved in charitable fundraising and raised over £80,000 for Help for Heroes.
Adrian Spiller
Head of Engineering & Quality
Adrian joined Faltec in late 2024 and brings over 14 years of manufacturing experience across automotive, agricultural and heavy equipment sectors. He began his career as a Quality Inspector and progressed through increasingly senior roles, including Factory Quality Manager, before joining Faltec as Senior Quality Lead and quickly moving into his current role.
What Adrian values most at Faltec is the collaborative, supportive culture and the shared commitment to doing things properly. Outside of work, he is a passionate Sunderland AFC supporter and enjoys boxing and horse racing.
Beth McAdam
Head of HR
Beth joined Faltec in 2023 and brings over 12 years of HR experience. She began her career in manufacturing while studying Business Leadership and Corporate Management, before moving into the automotive retail sector and later returning to manufacturing in her role at Faltec.
Beth values the opportunity to operate as a true HR generalist in a fast-moving environment, and particularly enjoys the variety and balance the role offers. Outside of work, she enjoys walking with her dog, Pilates, and travelling with her husband.
Gavin Cleminson
Production Senior Supervisor
Gavin oversees end-to-end production processes including injection moulding, metal trim and assembly. He works closely with engineering, quality and maintenance teams to troubleshoot issues and maintain strict automotive standards and zero-defect targets.
Gavin joined the business in 1998 when it operated as Hashimoto, starting as an Injection Moulding Operator before progressing through Team Leader, Technical Team Leader and Supervisor roles to his current position as Production Senior Supervisor. He enjoys the daily challenges of manufacturing, where every day is different and brings new opportunities to solve problems. Outside of work, Gavin enjoys spending time with his family, walking his dogs, supporting Sunderland AFC and following the NFL.
Scott Cooper
Head of Finance
Scott joined Faltec in 2015 and has built his career within the company, progressing from an apprentice role to Head of Finance. He brings nearly 11 years of finance experience and is currently CIMA part-qualified, working towards full qualification.
Scott enjoys working in a supportive, people-focused environment and values the trust and development opportunities he has been given at Faltec. A key highlight of his time with the business includes leading the move from paper-based purchase ledger processes to an automated system.
Ben Brignall
Head of Maintenance & Toolroom
Ben joined Faltec in 2023 and has worked in the injection moulding industry since 2010, building broad technical expertise across maintenance and engineering roles. He combines hands-on operational knowledge with leadership responsibility and is currently studying a Senior Leadership Apprenticeship with Durham University to further strengthen his strategic capability.
Ben enjoys leading his team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and driving improvements that directly support customer delivery. Outside of work, in his free time, Ben enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Alan Baker
Head of IT
Alan leads the IT function with a focus on system stability, reliable operations and robust cybersecurity. He oversees core infrastructure, the ERP platform and integrated business applications, supporting the business while ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
Joining Faltec in 2014, Alan brings more than 25 years’ experience working with Infor ERP as both an end user and consultant, including implementation, optimisation and integration with business processes. What keeps him at Faltec is the people and the relationships built across the business. Outside of work, Alan is a long-time pool player and a keen motorhome enthusiast.
Steve Archibald
Production Senior Supervisor
Steve oversees end-to-end production processes including injection moulding, metal trim and assembly. He works closely with engineering, quality and maintenance teams to troubleshoot issues and maintain strict automotive standards and zero-defect targets.
Steve joined the business in 2003, starting in the paint plant before progressing through Team Leader and Supervisor roles to his current position. He enjoys the pace and variety of manufacturing, where no two days are the same and the team is always solving new challenges.
Lee Miller
Head of NPI
Lee Miller leads new product introduction from early coordination through to manufacture. He works with project teams to ensure new products meet both customer requirements and business needs, supporting a smooth route from design into production.
Lee joined Faltec in 2005 as a production operator and has progressed through multiple departments, building broad experience across production, engineering and project management. He enjoys the pace and challenge of automotive manufacturing and values the support Faltec has given him to develop his career across different areas of the business.
Paul Brown
Senior Engineer
Paul supports engineering activity across the business — from new product introduction and layout planning to 2D/3D modelling, process improvement and systems development. His focus is on building robust processes that are safe, ergonomic, and cost and energy-efficient.
Paul joined Faltec in 2016 and brings over 28 years’ experience in automotive manufacturing, with additional experience across chemical, metal fabrication, machining, heat treatment and forging. He enjoys working with colleagues across departments in a role where the challenges keep changing and no two days are the same.
Sarah Eccleston
Procurement Lead
Sarah is responsible for procurement activities across direct and indirect categories, helping the business achieve operational excellence through effective sourcing, supplier management, and commercial negotiation.
With over 10 years of procurement and commercial experience, Sarah is a CIPS-qualified professional with expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and value-driven procurement. Her commercial approach and industry experience help support business performance while fostering strong and sustainable supplier partnerships.
Gavin Pearce
Head of Health, Safety and Environment
Gavin heads up the Health, Safety and Environment department, leading the HSE function across the business. With over ten years’ experience, he supports all departments to ensure safe systems of work are in place and that colleagues operate in a secure, compliant environment every day.
Gavin joined Faltec in 2023, having previously worked for global brands including Coca-Cola, Enerpac and ZF Automotive. He has achieved Chartered status with IOSH and brings broad, practical experience to the role, with a clear focus on ensuring employees go home safely to their loved ones. Outside of work, Gavin is a passionate Newcastle United supporter and enjoys spending time with his family.