- Craig Swinhoe is moving from Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chair
- Dave Crone is moving from Senior Technical Director to Managing Director of Omega Plastics
- Ian Mallett is moving from Group Operations Director to Managing Director of Signal Plastics
- Gary Owen continues as Group Finance Director.
(left to right: Ian Mallett, Dave Crone, Craig Swinhoe, Gary Owen)
We also announce the departure of Julian Jamieson, currently our Group Commercial Director and formerly our Group Operations Director, who is embarking on a new journey with Express Engineering after 15 years of invaluable contributions to the Omega Plastics Group. Julian, a co-founder of Signal Plastics, has played a pivotal role in our growth and success. He will have a hand-over period throughout July, before fully transitioning to Express Engineering in August.
Our new streamlined senior leadership structure at Omega Plastics Group means that each of our two companies and sites at Gateshead (Omega Plastics) and Washington (Signal Plastics) and our customers will now have a single point of senior leadership, ensuring a more focused and efficient approach.
Craig Swinhoe, who joined Omega Plastics Group as Group Managing Director in April 2019 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in June 2021, has moved to the role of part time Executive Chair. Craig has been instrumental in navigating the Group through COVID, supply chain, energy crisis, and inflationary pressures, during that time driving the group’s growth from £10m to £15m and achieving record performance. His move into the Executive Chair role is a critical part of our succession planning strategy, ensuring continued strategic oversight and support for the group’s continued development.
Dave Crone, a co-owner of Omega Plastics Group and formerly our Senior Technical Director, steps into the role of Managing Director at Omega Plastics. With over 35 years of experience in mould making, Dave brings a wealth of expertise to the new role. Having progressed from a time-served toolmaker through various design and managerial positions (including Group Managing Director prior to 2019), Dave combines exceptional managerial and engineering skills. His deep understanding of the industry and commitment to excellence and providing technical solutions for our customers will be instrumental in driving Omega Plastics forward.
Ian Mallett, formerly our Group Operations Director, takes on the role of Managing Director at Signal Plastics. Ian’s extensive background spans over 27 years in the automotive, oil and gas, and renewable energy manufacturing sectors. His experience in senior managerial roles, coupled with his Six Sigma qualifications, make him uniquely suited to lead Signal Plastics. Ian’s expertise in team leadership, operational optimisation, and quality control will be key in enhancing Signal’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.
A key component of this leaner structure is the pivotal role of Gary Owen, our Group Finance Director. Gary will continue to work closely with Craig Swinhoe on the group business plan and support each Managing Director and their teams as well as the group functions.
With these changes, Omega Plastics Group will continue to operate very much as one group, with the two trading companies continuing to work closely together supported by group functions in business development and sales, quality, health and safety and compliance, HR and IT.
The two Managing Directors will also continue to collaborate, leveraging Dave Crone’s engineering experience across the group and Ian Mallett’s operational and Six Sigma expertise.
Craig Swinhoe, Executive Chair, shared his thoughts on these strategic changes:
“Following a period of high growth for both companies in our group, we are transitioning from a functional director structure to one focused around the two trading companies as profit centres, each with dedicated senior leadership. This strategic move aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality plastic injection mould tooling, components, assembly, and technical solutions on time with exceptional customer service.
I am excited about these leadership changes, which will enhance our ability to serve our customers and drive continued success. I am confident that Dave Crone and Ian Mallett are the right leaders to drive our two group companies forward.
I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Julian Jamieson for his contribution to the group over the last 15 years and wish him the best in his future endeavours.”
