Darren Rhodes appointed new Managing Director at P...

Historic family-owned manufacturing firm (based in Garforth, Leeds), Procter Bros has appointed a new managing director, Darren Rhodes.

Darren, was previously Managing Director of spring manufacturer, Leggett & Platt, where he led a rapid development and growth strategy for the UK business unit.  He has a proven track record of running a multi-site manufacturing business and successfully applying business improvement strategies.

Procter Bros is a family-owned manufacturing firm, dating back to 1740.  They have survived 2 World Wars and recessions, and are still going strong. All thanks to their commitment to excellent customer service and ability to diversify. The Procter Group includes four distinct businesses:

1. Machine Safety – the UK’s leading specialist manufacturer of machine safety guarding. 

2. Contracts – designs and installs fencing, automatic gates and street furniture.

3. Supplies – sells concrete (manufactured at the Leeds factory), fencing and building materials both to trade and direct to consumers.

4. Cast Stone - design, manufacture and install architectural Cast Stone. 

The previous manager director, Jeremy Procter is moving to Chairman of the Procter Bros Group.  Jeremy is fourth generation of the Procter family and has been in the business for 41 years and managing director since 1992. Jeremy will maintain guardianship of the Procter brand. The new Chairman role will give him more time to devote to family and interests outside work.

Jeremy Procter, Chairman said: “This is a key appointment for Procter Bros. Our strong growth in recent years, meant we needed to develop the structure of the business but we took our time to identify the right person.

“Darren helped his previous company grow to become one of the largest in the sector and he was looking for a fresh challenge. He realised that Procter Bros had similar values to his own, shared a passion for excellent customer service and had the drive and ambition to grow. So we were the ideal match for each other and I’m confident I’m handing the business to a safe pair of hands.”

Darren’s new role as Managing Director will be focused on accelerating the company growth strategy and to meet the specific needs of clients across the Procter Bros business portfolio, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service.

The new post was created as part of the firm’s succession planning, to develop its management structure to cope with increased and changing demands for its services.

Darren Rhodes, who is based in Halifax, said: “This is the sort of opportunity I was looking for. Procter Bros has an incredible heritage and plenty of ambition.”

“But the key for me was that we share a similar vision for the future and the values in doing business. I am privileged to be joining a company where it is engrained in everyone to put the customer’s interests first and where there is such opportunity for further development. I look forward to playing a major role in setting our course for the next 275 years.”