Andrew McVey has been appointed Operations Director of Shirley Dyeing and Finishing - and to focus his mind on the new role undertook a 190 mile walk from coast to coast across England.
"I like challenges - and I'm hoping that the challenge of Operations Director of Shirley Dyeing and Finishing will be just as challenging as the walk from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay near Whitby in Yorkshire," said Andrew.
"It took two weeks to walk from coast to coast, but we backpacked carrying all our gear and camped out most nights - and I've returned ready to take on anything that the new role throws at me."
Andrew, who has a degree in environmental studies, will be responsible for Shirley's commission dyeing and finishing business, based in Hyde, Cheshire along with the spinning and non-wovens operation, and will be looking to expand the customer base whilst maintaining and improving quality and increasing energy savings.
"Most of our commissions are from small niche customers who have a need for specialist services - we find that its quality and a quick turn around, rather than quantity that drives customers' needs," said Andrew.
"We process roll goods from a wide variety of fibre types and cloth constructions, woven and non-wovens. End uses range from high fashion silk fabrics through to heavy duty industrial technical textiles."
Married with two children, Andrew's a keen walker, mountain biker and climber.
Shirley Dyeing and Finishing is a commission dyer and finisher and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Shirley Technologies since 1981. It is based in Hyde, Cheshire.