Meet The Team
Welcome to Specialist Switchgear
What we do here at Specialist Switchgear is cutting edge and high-tech, but our approach to you is quite simple: you get to deal with a real person who puts your needs centre stage. And while we might be switchgear nerds, we do have a life outside. Admittedly, there’s a bias toward all things cars and football, but we promise that when it comes to switchgear and components, we’ll always be on your side.
Click on a photograph below to learn more about our team
Managing Director
Phil Hoy
- Years in the industry: 40+
- Best thing about SSSL: Enthusiasm of the staff
- Proudest career moment: Our great new facility; a place to be proud of.
- Dream job: Formula 1 driver.
- Favourite things: Man Utd, fast cars and food!
- Greatest personal achievement: Working hard to buy my Ferrari
Telephone:+44 (0) 7738 540538
Technical Design Manager
Harold Teale
- Years in the industry: 44
- Best thing about SSSL: Everyday presents a new challenge
- Proudest career moment: Designing the fire alarm system at Preston Crown court
- Dream job: Professional cricketer
- Favourite things: Reading, swimming and listening to Queen
- Greatest personal achievement: Having three wonderful children
- Interesting fact: I’m a talented artist
Telephone:+44 (0) 7740 814485
Sales Manager
Joseph Greenhalgh
- Years in the industry: 45
- Best thing about SSSL: Every day is different and the people are great
- Proudest career moment: Joining Specialist Switchgear Systems!
- Dream job: Numerous major projects throughout the country
- Favourite things: Man Utd, DIY, gardening and marine / fish keeping
- Greatest personal achievement: Seeing all 3 of my children graduate from university
- Interesting fact: I’m a marine / reef fish expert
Telephone:+44 (0) 7849 835437
Technical Design Engineer
Joe Derbyshire
- Years in the industry: 4 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The drive and enthusiasm of my colleagues
- Proudest career moment: Winning large commercial projects
- Dream job: Spy
- Favourite things: Tapas, MUFC, music
- Greatest personal achievement: Buying my car at 19
Project Engineer
David Howarth
- Years in the industry: 15+ years
- Best thing about SSSL: The people
- Dream job: MI5 Agent
- Favourite things: Football and Italian food
- Greatest personal achievement: Becoming a Dad and Distinction Profile at HND level
- Interesting fact: Descendant of one of the founders of the Rochdale Pioneers – Charles Howarth
Distribution & Warehousing Manager
Karl Westby
- Years in the industry: New to switchgear, but seasoned in distribution
- Best thing about SSSL: The people – they’re really special
- Proudest career moment: Joining Specialist Switchgear Systems!
- Dream job: Multi-millionaire man of mystery
- Favourite things: Man Utd and all sorts of music
- Greatest personal achievement: Passing my HGV Class I
- Interesting fact: I’m an open book and what you see is what you get
Senior Electrical Engineer
Vinny Fox
- Years in the industry: 26 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The people are friendly and co-operative
- Dream job: Sculptural Artist
- Favourite things: Rock, Woodturning/Carving, Electronics/Amateur Radio. Making in general.
- Interesting fact: I used to restore antiques/classic cars
Finance Manager
Beccy Moughan
- Years in the industry: 5+
- Best thing about SSSL: The team, we all work together
- Favourite things: Shopping, socialising, holidays.
- Greatest personal achievement: My 3 beautiful children.
Office Manager
Melissa Preston
- Years in the industry: 4 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The people
- Dream job: Undercover Detective
Senior Sales & Ecommerce Manager
Darren Byrne
- Years in the industry: 21 years
- Best thing about SSSL: Teamwork makes the dream work
- Proudest career moment: Working for SSSL
- Dream job: Putting the bubbles in spirit levels
- Favourite things: Food, F1, cooking, and football.
- Greatest personal achievement: My wife & children
- Interesting fact: I am a proud Grandad
Warehouse & Ecommerce Assistant
Leah Westby
- Years in the industry: 1 year
- Best thing about SSSL: The opportunities
- Dream job: Dance teacher
- Favourite things: Music, fashion, my family
- Greatest personal achievement: Buying my own car
- Interesting fact: I worked as a waitress for 4 years
Production Manager
Michael Smith
- Years in the industry: 19
- Best thing about SSSL: The people
- Proudest career moment: Joining the SSSL team
- Dream job: Footballer or DJ
- Favourite things: Man City
- Greatest personal achievement: Having kids
- Interesting fact: Man City season ticket holder for 25 years, not since 2008!
Electrical Engineer
Andrew Maiden
- Years in the industry: 4
- Best thing about SSSL: The atmosphere
- Proudest career moment: Qualifying to be an Electrical Engineer
- Dream job: Footballer
- Favourite things: Food, beer, and football.
Electrical Engineer
Danny Summerfield
- Years in the industry: 13 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The lads and the banter
- Proudest career moment: Starting at Specialist Switchgear Systems Ltd
- Dream job: Footballer
- Favourite things: Family, and Man United
- Greatest personal achievement: Staying out of trouble!
- Interesting fact: I make a perfect copper bar!
Electrical Engineer
Stuart Nye
- Years in the industry: 4 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The staff
- Proudest career moment: 6 weeks on data centre in Hamburg
- Dream job: Football scout
- Favourite things: Man United, and my family
- Greatest personal achievement: My son being born
- Interesting fact: None of the lads know but I lived in Australia for 2 years!
Electrical Engineer
Josh Grundy
- Years in the industry: 3 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The lads
- Proudest career moment: Completing SAP course
- Dream job: Switchgear Engineer
- Favourite things: Pies, and rugby!
- Greatest personal achievement: Playing rugby for North of England
- Interesting fact: Building a JCB at 4 years old
Trainee Electrical Engineer
Georgios Sitaridis
- Years in the industry: 7 years
- Best thing about SSSL: The teamwork
- Proudest career moment: Joining SSSL
- Dream job: Astronaut
- Favourite things: Combat sports
- Greatest personal achievement: Becoming a father
- Interesting fact: I was in the Special Forces in Greece
Apprentice Electrical Engineer
Harrison Duckworth
- Years in the industry: 1 year
- Best thing about SSSL: The people
Apprentice Electrical Engineer
Kian Warbrick
- Years in the industry: 1.5 years
- Proudest career moment: Being promoted from butty duties
- Dream job: Entrepreneur
- Favourite things: Football, mates, pub
- Greatest personal achievement: Played football on Camp Nou
Need a quote?
Whether for component parts, a replacement panel or a complete switchgear system, our dedicated team is on hand to attend to your power management needs, from a simple part price to a complete technical specification in conjunction with your engineers and commissioning electrical experts.
Get in touch today and see how we can power up your project.
