senior management Team
A team of niche specialists
Paul Hopkins (left) and Terry Nicholls (right) are the owners of Lightfoot International Limited, both bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to their roles. Paul is the Finance Director and Terry is a Director of the company. They both sit on the board, providing advice and guidance
Paul and Terry have systematically and sustainably grown the Lightfoot business and as such they have an in-depth knowledge of the business and its wider customer base.
They have developed an experienced team at Lightfoot with a focus on the customer. They are both strong advocates of sustainable, high quality service offerings, and have instilled a strong culture within the workforce of self-belief. Providing staff, the opportunity for personal and professional development, supported at all levels.
Paul Hopkins
Paul has over 25 years’ experience as a Finance Director. A qualified Chartered Accountant, he has worked in both the public and private sectors with large organisations and SME’s. His domestic and international finance expertise ensures an elevated level of service to our customers across Lightfoot’s home and overseas contracts, covering, Europe, Middle East, and as far afield as South America.
Notably, he overcame the many challenges of setting up an overseas operation, to successfully deliver the full operational set up we now have in Bahrain (this also required the agreement and permission from the Bahrain prime minister).
TERRY NICHOLLS
Terry is an experienced and commercially aware Company Director, holding positions at Programme, Operations and Managing Director. Qualified to Master’s level, he is a Chartered Manager who has attained ‘Fellow’ status for his formulation and introduction of a ‘Learning Culture/Knowledge Pool’. and has successfully introduced the ISO 9001 standard into three organisations.
A proponent of Safety and Risk management, strict Configuration Control underpinned by proactive Obsolescence management, he has formulated the robust support systems within Lightfoot today. With a strong appetite and history of embracing a partnering approach with customers, recognised through the award of a BAE Systems ‘Chairman’s Award’ for enhancing customer performance.
Steve Rodgers
Managing Director
Having left the Royal Navy after 28 years’ service, Steve continued his personal development by studying for a Marine Surveying top up degree at master’s Level which had Business Management and Quality Control Modules attached.
He has now worked in industry for over 20 years, holding positions as Production Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager and Commercial Director.
With his extensive technical knowledge and strong commercial acumen, Steve is now leading the Executive Leadership Team at Lightfoot, since being appointed as the Managing Director in 2024.
He continues to drive the company forwards, delivering the Lightfoot strategic growth plan.
Tony Haile
Business Development Director
Tony started his career as an apprentice specialising in industrial air compressors R&D. He later took a bold step to join and serve in the Royal Navy for 32 years retiring as a Warrant Offer first Class. That experience honed his technical skills but also instilled a disciplined commitment to excellence and continuous growth.
On retirement, Tony was recruited to manage a specialist Military and Industrial Projects section within a large Bahraini shipyard where he demonstrated his adaptability to adapt in most situation which then led to him be offered the senior management role at the Duqm Naval Dockyard in Omans premier shipyard.
On return to the UK post COVID, Tony took the Offshore Fleet Maintenance Managers role the Marine Society and Sea Cadets. That job included a large mentoring element for the next generation of seafarers.
Now, as Director of BD, Tony is leveraging his contacts in pursuit of bespoke refrigeration system projects, that and being part of the Executive Leadership Team has positioned him to assist and help steer this company towards innovative growth and new opportunities within the wider sector. He is eager to embrace the challenges ahead and to contribute to the steady growth of Lightfoot International in the coming years.
Joseph Mills
Sales & Operations manager
Joe began his career as a Mechanical Design Engineer in the building services sector before joining Lightfoot’s Aerospace Department in 2015. Since then, he has progressed through key leadership roles within the business, including Production Manager and Operations Manager before stepping into his current position as Sales & Operations Manager.
With a First-Class Honours Degree in Engineering Design and Manufacture and recognition as a Foundation Chartered Manager, Joe combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. He plays a pivotal role in driving business growth, overseeing operations, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver excellence.
As a certified Lean Six Sigma “Green Belt” practitioner, Joe is committed to innovation and efficiency and is passionate about optimising and implementing processes that ensure Lightfoot remain at the forefront of the industry
Denise Gladding
HR Manager
Denise Gladding joined Lightfoot International at the beginning of April 2022 as the Human Resource Manager. Previously working for a large corporate energy company as a Business Support Manager for over 10 years she is a valued member of the team bringing her experience of compliance, health & safety and organisational skills.
With a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resources this also ensures we maintain the welfare of our employees and encourages further training and development.
Darren Campbell
Production Manager
Darren brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in design, production management and equipment development to his role as the Production Manager.
He has overall responsibility for the management and production of all projects within the company.
After completing 21 years in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer in the submarine service, his Engineering knowledge and Leadership qualities have been a real asset to the Lightfoot team.
His qualifications include a foundation degree with merit in Marine Systems Engineering, CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership, F Gas and Level 3 Award in in Education and Training.
Phil Skinner
Project Engineering Lead
Phil has over 40 years of engineering experience within the aviation sector, bringing together extensive technical knowledge of both military and commercial rotary platforms. With demonstrable success in troubleshooting complex issues and ensuring the smooth operation of production and facilities throughout the world.
Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams and driving continuous improvement initiatives forward has supported him in successfully leading businesses through 1st, and 2nd stage ISO certification and recertification audits.
As the Project Engineer for the business, he is responsible for managing all project engineering and technical aspects, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and providing technical guidance and mentoring to the Lightfoot International team members.
His qualifications include a Diploma in Strategic Corporate Management NVQ 5, Lloyds Auditor, Class 1, 2 & 3 Aircraft Codified Welder as well as a time served Aeronautical Engineer, all of which support the company’s quality culture.