01538 382066 sales@leekgears.co.uk

Our Experts

Richard Baker

Cristina Talens

Managing Director

Cristina Talens is an expert in sustainability and supply chain transformation. She came to the business with a vision to work on projects that promoted the circular economy approach. Cristina’s dream is to get more women and girls into engineering and she has been working with Buxton college to fast track young apprentices into the business. She speaks Spanish and French fluently and is continually on the move. She has one daughter and enjoys walking the dog around Yorkshire on a weekend.

Les Rushton

Les Rushton

General Manager

Les joined as an apprentice turner in 1972 and rose up through the business with spells as Inspector and Workshop Manager. Able to do gear calculations in his head, Les is now General Manager, making sure our customers enjoy the highest quality products and best levels of service. On top of keeping the business running smoothly, Les likes sport, photography and eating out. A growing brood of grandchildren make sure he’s always kept busy.

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Matt Bowcock

Chris Taylor

Assistant General Manager

Chris started studying engineering at school and has pursued an engineering career ever since. He initially started as machinist on the shop floor, moved into CAD design before finally moving into a management role. Chris has particular expertise in the design and build of bespoke printing presses and it was in this industry  that he first developed a knowledge of gears . Outside of work, Chris and his partner have 2 young children and he likes all things 2 wheeled, with or without an engine.

Paul Carrington

Jonathan Bell

Finance and Commercial Manager

Jonathan is our part time Finance and Commercial Manager. He loves numbers and has a wealth of experience in SME manufacturing and distribution companies. He has been involved in the business since 2012 and supports our management team with financial, operational and commercial strategies. In what little spare time he has, he enjoys food, wine, travel and sport (once upon a time playing cricket and hockey but now mainly spectating).

Mick Harvey

Mick Harvey

Production Manager

Mick spent 2 years working for a fabrication and welding business, before moving into the world of gear-cutting in 1984. From gaining his City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering, Mick’s unwavering attention to detail has seen him master the dark art of gear manufacturing and he now oversees the shop floor, troubleshoots manufacturing issues and ensures the high quality of every piece manufactured. In his spare time, Mick loves walking his two chocolate labs, good food and wine, painting watercolours and practicing his photography skills. His dance moves are legendary.

Paul Carrington

Paul Carrington

Office Manager

Paul originally spent 20 years working for Royal Doulton as an industrial engineer. The decline of the local pottery industry led him into an accounting role with a large clothing manufacturer, joining the team here as Office Manager in 2011. From placing orders to credit control, Paul is responsible for all aspects of day to day finance and administration. Outside of the office, he is a keen walker who has successfully restored a number of classic cars.

Brian Sandall

Brian Sandall

Machinist

Brian is one of the longest serving members of our team having been with us almost as long as he has been married. Brian puts prodigious amounts of metal on the floor and as our elder-statesman is someone everyone in the business turns to for advice and sweets (usually aniseed balls). Of the old-school, Brian enjoys giving management a hard time and tending to his garden, which is a riot of colour in the summer.

Dave Waring

Dave Waring

CNC Turner

Dave is another of the most experienced members of the team. He started his working life as a general engineering apprentice at another local company, Bode & Sons. After fine-tuning his engineering skills for over 20 years, Dave changed careers and stepped into the world of IT.  Joining us and returning to engineering in 2001, he has gone on to become our head CNC programmer and keeper of passwords. Outside of work Dave loves being outdoors, combining his interests in walking and photography.  He has a particular love of the Lake District and often holidays there.

Kris Hallam

Brian Northwood

Gear Cutter

Brian joined the business in 2020 having been an engineer since he left school 45 years ago. Proving you are never too old to learn new skills, Brian is busy broadening the range of gear-cutting machines he operates. Outside of work he supports Wolves and enjoys holidays abroad when watching Wolves becomes too much.

Kris Hallam

Kris Hallam

Gear Cutter

Kris has been honing his craft with Leek Gears since he left school in 2011.  Whilst learning the dark arts, Kris has obtained his NVQ Level 3 and is now starting to pass on his skills to the (even) younger members of staff. In his spare time, Kris wields the bass guitar for local band “A Thousand Wolves” and also plays in a 5-a-side football team.

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Matt Bowcock

Cian Sigley-Cole

Apprentice Gear Cutter

Cian is nearing the end of his apprenticeship in our gear cutting department. His introduction to engineering came from his blacksmith dad. In his spare time he likes gaming, mountain biking, camping and walking.

Paul Carrington

Ben Hutchinson

CNC Turner

Man of few words. Leeds United fan. Campervan owner.

 

Les Rushton

Peter Balbuza

Machinist

Peter joined our team in 2019 and specialises is CNC milling. Before joining Leek Gears, Peter worked for MG Sanders and Elite Racing Transmissions.  He is qualified through City and Guilds as a technician and in Mechanical Maintenance Craft Studies.  Outside of work, Peter is a member of the Market Drayton Fishing Club and has previously, been crowned the Midland Area Champion!

Les Rushton

Jonathan Riley

Machinist

Jonathan is a general/CNC machinist who has been with the company since 2018.  He has an NVQ (Level 3) in Mechanical Engineering, and also a qualification in Personal Training through City and Guilds. Before joining Leek Gears, Jonathan was an infantry soldier in the Staffordshire Regiment.  Jonathan’s hobbies include keeping fit, puppy walking and travelling.  He is also quite at home doing DIY though, to be clear, this does not include wallpapering.

Matt Bowcock

Jonathan Thorpe

Machinist and Tool/Cutter Grinder

Man of few words. Manchester United fan. Doesn’t own a campervan.

Paul Carrington

Lewis Buxton

Apprentice Turner

Lewis was introduced to the world of engineering by a granddad who ran his own engineering business. Whilst he is officially an apprentice turner, Lewis has made his mark by demonstrating his willingness and an enthusiasm to take on and learn any task. He is interested in all things IT related as well as in cars and holidays abroad.

Matt Bowcock

Matt Bowcock

Storeman

Before joining us in April 2012, Matt spent 5 years welding and 2 years programming welding robots, before deciding to have a change of scenery and become a fencing contractor. He then became our Storeman and driver and, to many people, he is the face of Leek Gears. Matt is a keen cricketer, playing and coaching the juniors at Leek Cricket Club, and an occasional spectator at Stoke City.