Our People

Andrea Hough OBE

Chief Executive

Andrea joined Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Engineering as a commercial apprentice straight from school. The Company changed its name many times over the years as Andrea progressed through IT, Commercial and then Production Management before taking over the three manufacturing plants in Farnworth, Welwyn Garden City and Portsmouth during the period when the company was acquired by Vosper Thornycroft in the mid 1990’s.

In 2004 after a restructuring by Vosper Thornycroft, Andrea and her business partner purchased the remaining manufacturing site which had relocated to Worsley, Manchester in 2004 and so began AT Engine Controls Limited.

Andrea has a Diploma in Business Studies and was recently awarded an OBE in the Queens New Year’s honours list for her services to Manufacturing.

John Bowden BEng (Hons)

Technical and Commercial Director

Before joining ATEC as Director of Engineering in 2012, John spent over 15 years building knowledge and experience in both engineering and quality management of high reliability military equipment. Apprentice trained with a BSc (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Having led the Engineering and Sales teams for a number of years, John now has the role of Managing Director, leading the business with the support of a strong senior management team.

When he’s not working, John is kept equally busy by his two young children; playing football and enduring the rollercoaster that is being a Leeds United fan.

Mark Poole

Operations Director

Mark joined ATEC in June 2015 as Operations Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience having worked within the aerospace sector for the last 20 years, covering a wide range of disciplines from operational and supply chain through to purchasing.

He is looking forward to the exciting and challenging times ahead of him.

Beverley Abdulla Chartered FCIPD

Company Secretary

Beverley is a CIPD qualified HR professional. Prior to entering the colourful and eventful world of HR she worked within Distribution/Logistics as a Senior Manager (right at the coalface so to speak) and managed a team of 31 operational clerical staff so is no stranger to people management and the diverse nature of the human being.

Beverley is a qualified mediator , she joined the management team at AT Engine Controls in September 2006.

When not at work apart from the usual spending time with family and friends she has started training with weights which much to her surprise is turning into a fabulous hobby.

Lee Childs

Head of Finance

Lee joined Atec in January 2023 as Head of Finance.  He began his career working for a number of accountancy firms, preparing and auditing accounts for a wide range of SMEs and mid sized companies.

Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant, Lee left the accountancy profession in 2003 and spent the next nineteen years working as Finance Director for a packaging manufacturer.  With his can do attitude he became involved in all aspects of the business, including commercial, IT and HR.  Having loved his time working within a manufacturing environment, Lee is now looking forward to performing a similar role at Atec.

Outside of work Lee enjoys cycling, watching his beloved Bolton Wanderers lose and spending quality time with his family.  And with two young daughters he also enjoys coming back to work for a break!

Samira Ali

HR Manager

Samira joined Atec in September 2022 as a CIPD qualified professional with a passion for Human Resources and over 9 years experience gained in multiple backgrounds in both the public and private sector. This includes a variety of business types ranging from SME's to multi nationals like BAE systems.

Samira is looking forward to driving the HR strategy at Atec to support business growth and  for the challenging but exciting times ahead of her.

In her spare time her children keep her active and busy but she tries to get as much downtime as possible by going for long walks in her local woodland and forests, reading a good book and she especially loves socialising with her friends and family, both locally and in her home city of Sheffield!

Phil Whittaker

Safety and Compliance Manager

Phil joined the ATEC senior management team in 2016. A senior Aviation and Aerospace industry quality, safety & compliance professional with  30 “something” years broad business management experience spanning civilian, military and defence sectors.

Phil Says, “I fundamentally believe that the continual improvement of quality, safety & risk management systems facilitate the creation of a team ethos and is the key to the continued success of any organisation”.

With his daughter having flown the nest to start University Phil is basking in the increased levels of “me” time taking Mabel the family ever-active springer spaniel for long walks. He is also enjoying the increased time he can dedicate to improving his Ukulele skills. When asked Phil could not say with any certainty how much his wife Julie is enjoying the additional Ukulele time!

Sarah Clare

Purchasing Manager

Sarah joined Atec in May 2024 as Purchasing Manager.  Educated to degree and a Member of the Charted Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Sarah has over 20 years’ experience within several sectors namely Manufacturing,  Subcontracting for Nuclear and MOD Projects.

Sarah has lived and studied in Granada, Spain and watched the running of the Bulls in Pamplona.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and walking her Border Collie, Simba.  Sarah enjoys travelling, trying local cuisines but would rather leave the cooking to the experts!

Catherine Hitchen

Customer Account Manager

Catherine joined ATEC as Key Account Coordinator, having previously worked in both Procurement and Key Account roles.

Catherine has worked predominantly in Automotive and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing environments and has experience of being both the customer and the Account Coordinator.

Catherine has a degree in International Business Management and is keen to develop her new role within ATEC.

Catherine is a keen traveller and spent a year travelling around Europe, living with Nuns in Florence, Island Hopping in Greece, staying out of trouble in Amsterdam and then moving onto Australia.

Catherine’s main hobby is Interior design and she loves anything to do with renovating houses.

Carol Booth

Export/Customer Account Support Clerk

Carol joined the company way back in 1983 when we were then Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Engineering.

She spent her early years as a semi-skilled operator working on our Digicon & Marine printed circuit boards.

Carol gained her NVQ level 3 qualification in 1999, enabling her to become part of the Skilled workforce. She has gained lots of practical experience in many departments within the company, eventually settling in her role as Export/Despatch Clerk where she facilitates all of the shipping requirements of ATEC products, as well as assisting the Sales department with admin and customer queries.

Carol is a self-confessed shopaholic always on the lookout for a bargain or two!