BVG Directors
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Iain Burgess - Chief Executive
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Iain founded BVG in 1991, after a short career with retail group Marks & Spencer. BVG was initially a one-man operation and Iain is proud to have carried out each of the tasks he now asks his team of 220 staff to carry out to the same high standard. He has received numerous business awards both individually and on behalf of the company, including the Welsh Young business Achiever or the year, Welsh Innovative Company of the Year, Welsh exporter of the Year, Welsh Excellence in Growth award and Management Today ranked him as the 60th most successful entrepreneur in the UK in 2008.
Iain no longer works full time for BVG Airflo Group but seems to fill his spare time up with a constant stream of ’property projects’ and now considers himself to be an accomplished JCB driver! Iain, 39, lives in Hay-On-Wye with his partner Emma and sons Max and Jacob. |
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Robert Williams - Managing Director, Airflo
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Robert originally qualified as a surveyor and later was one of the two founder partners of Tightlines Direct, a mail-order and retail fly fishing company subsequently acquired by BVG Airflo Group. Robert joined the group in March 2000 and took responsibility for the product development, purchasing & marketing functions for the fishing mail order, Airflo and Total Fishing Gear divisions. Robert is a passionate fisherman, has fished for his Country at the highest level and spends most of his spare time on the riverbank. |
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Richard Wothers - Production Director, Airflo
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Richard is the longest serving member of staff, having started in 1988 shortly after graduating from Liverpool University. During his 23 years with the company he has played a key role in the development of the Airflo fly line and was appointed Production Director in 1997. His joint responsibilities are running the production facility and R&D. Richard is a keen fly fisherman with professional qualifications in casting instruction. His fly fishing ability has enabled him to develop many new innovative products and production techniques, the latest of which is »the Ridge line’ and has recently been awarded the 2006 Cardiff University Innovative Award. Richard, 44, and his wife Carol live locally with their two children. When not fly fishing his interests include cricket, rugby and squash. |
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Simon Locke - Sales Director, Clifford James
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Having graduated from Greenwich University in 1992, with a BA (Hons) in Marketing, Simon returned to his native Wales to become marketing manager of the Welsh Institute of Sport. In 1997 he decided to combine his passion for fly fishing with a business idea and set up mail order fishing tackle company Tightlines Direct with fellow Director Robert Williams. Tightlines became part of the BVG-Airflo group in 2000 and Simon is now Sales & Marketing Director for Clifford James. Simon lives in Llandeilo with son Joe and daughters Megan and Ella. When not fly fishing Simon’s other passions are rugby, soccer, playing guitar and avoiding all housework! |
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Andrew Crees - Finance Director
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During his time with the company, Andrew has either carried out, or been responsible for the most of the key functions of the business. Today he heads the finance team and plays a key role in the ongoing development of BVG-Airflo’s SOPS, accounting and communications IT systems. Andrew, 41, lives in one of the out-lying villages to Brecon. With a multitude of interests including photography, classic motorcycles and DIY he only wishes he had more spare time to enjoy them. |
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Gareth Jones - Sales Director, Airflo
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Gareth joined Airflo in June 1991 as a technical assistant, providing technical and fly fishing advice to our retail customers. He left the company for a short time and returned to head up Airflo Direct, a mail order operation that was the forerunner to Fishtec. In 1996 Gareth was promoted to Airflo Sales Director with responsibility for over 400 domestic and export accounts. His role involves extensive travelling around the world supporting our export customers as they develop our overseas markets. Gareth is a passionate fly-fisher and has fished all over the world. He has been a regular member of the Welsh International team for the last 15 years, and has achieved Bronze individual and team Silver medals at World Championship level. |
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Dan Price - Sales & Purchasing Director, BVG
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Dan joined BVG-Airflo in 1996, being promoted to Sales Purchasing Director in 2000. Dan heads up a large team that is responsible for developing Clifford James trade distribution, reader offer and mail order Channel businesses. Dan spends several weeks a year with his team in the Far East sourcing new and innovative products for the group. Dan, 39, is married and lives in Hay-on-Wye with wife Emma and two son's Theo and Jake. Outside work he enjoys spending time with his family and the occasional ice climbing and kayaking trip. |
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