Board of Stobart Directors

Andrew Tinkler - Chief Executive Officer
William Stobart - Chief Operating Officer
David Irlam - Executive Director
Ben Whawell - Chief Financial Officer
Richard Butcher - Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Trevor Howarth - Legal Director/ Company Secretary

Non Executive Directors

Rodney Baker Bates - Chairman
Nick Watts - Senior
Daniel Dayan
Jesper Kjaedegaard
Michael Kayser

Biographies are detailed below:


Andrew Tinkler
Chief Executive Officer

In 1988 Andrew Tinkler formed WA Tinkler Building Contractors, later to become WA Developments, a very successful business focussed on civil engineering and railway infrastructure. It is now part of the Group and is known as 'Stobart Rail'.

In 2004, Andrew acquired Eddie Stobart Group with colleague William Stobart and was appointed CEO. He was instrumental in developing the strategy and vision that is today's successful Stobart Group.

A past winner of the IoD North West Director of the Year Award, his proven risk management experience has played a valuable role in building a solid foundation for implementing the Group's multimodal strategy.


William Stobart
Chief Operating Officer

Long-time Director of Eddie Stobart Limited, William started his career with the haulage company.

He carried out a broad spectrum of roles, including HGV Driver, Planner and Manager, within Stobart during his early career.  This comprehensive experience has given him an in-depth understanding of every level of the business.

William left Eddie Stobart in 2001 to join WA Developments as a shareholding Director, and in 2004, following the acquisition of Eddie Stobart Group, he returned to the company as COO.

As COO, William continues to be closely involved in delivering the groups strategy.






David Irlam
Executive Director, Business Development

David Irlam joined the Stobart Board with the acqisition in April 2008 of James Irlam Logistics.

David started his career in the family business nearly 30 years ago as a Driver.  He held a variety of management positions within Irlam before becoming MD and later CEO of James Irlam.

He was instrumental in expanding the Irlam business, leading contract negotiations and building relationships with blue chip clients. More recently, he has been active in developing strategies and systems.
 
As an Executive Director, David's extensive experience at the cutting edge of the logistics industry is a valuable asset to Stobart Group.


Ben Whawell
Chief Financial Officer

Qualified Chartered Accountant, Ben, spent nine years at Grant Thornton before joining Eddie Stobart Group in 2004.

Ben is responsible for Finance, HR, IT and Business Systems. His primary focus is on the financial performance of the Group's operations. Ben oversaw the Company's merger with Westbury Property Fund, forming Stobart Group and the acqusitions of James Irlam, Innovate Chilled, WA Developments, London Southend Airport, Carlisle Lake District Airport and more recently Stobart Biomass Products.

Ben received the North West Financial Director of the Year Award in 2009.








Richard Butcher
Deputy Chief Executive Officer                                      

Richard joined Eddie Stobart in 1997 after 14 years with HSBC Corporate Finance and has been closely involved in a wide range of Stobart business activities.

Richard has held a number of key positions within the busines including Managing Director of Eddie Stobart. Richard played a key role in the development of property assets, with particular emphasis on the Widnes and Runcorn sites, property purchase and disposal, as well as building customer relationships and managing the Group's insurance.

Moving to the Group Executive Board, he has recently been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.





Trevor Howarth
Legal Director and Company Secretary

Trevor Howarth joined the company as Group Legal Director and has over 20 years legal experience. Within a matter of weeks Trevor became BSB licenced to instruct Counsel direct on behalf of the group, resulting in substantial savings on legal fees.

Since joining Stobart Group, Trevor has overseen a review of the Company’s insurances and has brought the management of all claims in-house.

Trevor’s legal expertise has provided the Company with immediate legal advice on a wide range of legal issues.

Trevor is Legal Director and Company Secretary of Stobart Group.

 

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