Exceptional loyalty to our purpose and mission has resulted in a stable team with unrivalled knowledge and passion.
For our customers, this has enabled long-term personal relationships of great trust and value – one assuring constant in an ever-changing world. For us, it means we can invest heavily in training in new technologies and techniques with confidence that the knowledge gained will remain in-house.
We value and appreciate each member of the Valeport team. On this page, we have listed customer-facing employees who you might communicate with. Of course, the Valeport team is made up of many employees and we all work collaboratively to help our customers, suppliers and the company flourish.
Kevin Edwards
Chief Commercial Operations
Kevin joined Valeport in October 1978 as a trainee and worked in the product assembly department until an opening for a Sales Engineer became available in 1986.
He now heads up a great Sales & Logistics team that is responsible for all of Valeport's worldwide sales activities including distributor performance and export control compliance.
Kevin thinks our industry is quite unique and friendly, with many challenges. Having been in the business for over 40 years, not much phases or shocks Kevin in terms of customer needs and technical solutions and those “next day deliveries”.
He appreciates working for an industry respected and independent family company, whilst being able to travel the world from a beautiful part of the UK.
Kevin enjoys a healthy work/life balance and especially likes watching Rugby Union.
Darren Padley
Senior Sales Manager
Darren is Senior Sales Manager at Valeport and is skilled in Physical Oceanography, Hydrography, Metrology and ocean chemistry. He joined Valeport in 1996 fulfilling various roles within Production, Service and Support before joining the Sales team.
Darren has a BSc Hons in Oceanography and Environmental Science and Post Graduate Studies in Estuarine Monitoring.
Outside of Valeport Darren’s interests centre around his two dogs and following the local professional rugby and cricket teams.
Neal Adamson
Sales Manager
Neal supports direct sales to our global customer and distributor network for all their Hydrometric, Hydrographic & Oceanographic instrumentation requirements. He has been with Valeport since 2004, starting his career as an Electronics Engineering Apprentice before taking the responsibility of Production Assembly Manager to lead a skilled team of 18 professionals. He joined the Sales team in 2018.
Neal holds numerous engineering and management educational accolades and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute.
Away from the office Neal enjoys spending time with his young family and is always keen for a challenge, competing regularly in Obstacle Course Races, Triathlons, Marathons and other endurance sports events. Recently representing the UK in the European and World OCR championships.
Tammy Elliott
Contracts & Sales Manager
Tammy joined Valeport Ltd in September 1994 as an Office Junior and obtained an NVQ3 in Business Administration. With over 26 years’ experience in Logistics procedures for both export and import, combined with a Foundation Award in International Trade and Leadership Management, Tammy’s experience is invaluable as she manages the entry and progression of all contracts through Valeport, making her an integral member of the Sales team.
Tammy gets a sense of achievement from supporting customers with the requirements and making sure they receive their equipment when required.
Iain Slade
Innovation & Product Manager
Iain joined us as Innovations and Product Manager in 2022. He is responsible for formulating ideas for new products and solutions, as well as managing the New Product Introduction (NPI) process from prototype to finished project. This includes reviewing existing products to ensure they remain relevant and meet customers’ current and future needs.
With over 18 years’ experience as an accredited hydrographic professional working within a range of sectors including: civil hydrography, marine renewables, coastal monitoring and offshore oil and gas, Iain has an established international reputation within the hydrographic community.
Most of his free time is focused on his young family but he also enjoys outdoor activities. In particular mountain biking, surfing and stand up paddle boarding. He plays the drums to a high standard and is interested in music production and technology.
Amy Thompson
Product Manager
Amy started with us as Product Manager in October 2023. Prior to this she gained a Master's degree in Oceanography from the University of Southampton. After completing her degree, she worked for several years in the marine industry for a metocean monitoring systems provider, with tasks ranging from the installation of sensors, project management and ongoing customer support.
Outside of work Amy likes to spend time outdoors, from gardening in her allotment to hiking, cycling and surfing. She also enjoys watching live music.
Dawn Blackburn
Logistics Administrator
Dawn joined Valeport in June 2017, she works in the Logistics Department raising shipping / export documentation required for both new products and service shipments. Dawn works closely with our freight forwarders making sure all our goods are shipped safely and quickly to our customers.
Iain Woodfield
Logistics & Customs Manager
Iain is the Logistics and Customs Manager here at Valeport having joined the team in June 2016 as an administrator. His work in the Logistics department means that he will often be the first point of contact for Customs Issues and the handling of dangerous goods shipments. Iain's personal interests are playing his guitar, riding his mountain bike and hiking with his wife. He is a graduate of the Open University and holds a First Class Honours degree in History.
Peter Adams
Head of Customer Service
In 1987 Peter joined Valeport as a final work placement for his mechanical engineering degree. He started work as a Mechanical Design Engineer and later moved on to writing software for displaying instrument data. Peter has progressed through the company over the last 32 years and currently manages the Service & Calibration, Customer Support and IT functions. He is a valuable member of the senior management team.
Kristian Ball
Service Manager
Kristian joined Valeport in 2013 and then became the Service Manager in 2017. He manages the day to day running of the service department, liaising with customers who need technical support or an update on their instruments when it is in for service. Since Kristian was a child, he has always enjoyed taking things apart and trying to understand how they work - so for him the main enjoyment is taking something that is broken and making it work again.
Andrew Thrussell
Service Engineer
Andrew joined Valeport as a Service Engineer in 2011. His previous experience as a field engineer with a leading global consumer digital imaging corporation led him to progress to Customer Support Engineer, providing solutions for our customer's technical enquiries over a broad range of products. He is also responsible for in-house customer product training.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as dog walking, photography and travelling.
Emma Lakin
Service Administrator
Emma works in the Service Department as our Service Administrator. She works closely with the Service Engineers to ensure our customers have an in-depth quotation for their instruments and that all instruments are serviced and calibrated to a high standard.
During her spare time Emma enjoys spending time assisting her husband and daughter in their passion for water sports.
Alice handles the day to day finance administration for Valeport Limited and Valeport Water. She joined Valeport in 2013 as a business administration apprentice, then moved on to studying accounting gaining her AAT level 4 professional diploma. Alice has also gained her CIMA level 3 Diploma in principles of management.
In her spare time, Alice enjoys competing with her horses, helping around the farm and walking her dogs.
Guy Frankland
Head of Marketing
Guy oversees marketing for Valeport and Valeport Water. He has been with the company since 2018. Prior to joining Valeport Guy had amassed over 25 years’ experience in strategic digital marketing and has a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data & Marketing. He loves a challenge and finding solutions to problems. A lover of all things digital, Guy is obsessed with providing Valeport customers with the best experience possible.
Outside of work Guy enjoys spending time with his young family and when time allows DIY & gardening.
Siobhan Edwards
Marketing Coordinator
Siobhan joined Valeport as an Office Junior in 2006 where she helped all the departments with any administration required, she then moved solely to the Service Department. After being with the Service Department for just over 11 years, Siobhan moved to the Marketing Department where she is involved in all aspects of marketing for Valeport.
Siobhan has an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service and an NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques.
In her spare time Siobhan enjoys playing hockey for the local team, watching the Exeter Chiefs play up at Sandy park and running around after her 2 year old daughter!
Dan Bruce
Visual Media Producer
Dan started working for Valeport in 2011. After managing the stores department he transferred to the Marketing team as Visual Media Producer in 2020.
Dan has a passion for creating engaging video and photographic content to help promote the high-quality products the company manufactures.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his friends and family as well as travelling, photography and creating short films.
Hannah Juniper
Marketing Assistant
Hannah is our Marketing Assistant here at Valeport. She initially joined us for 2 weeks work experience after finishing her A-Levels but was then taken on as a maternity cover for 6 months. In May 2022 she was taken on full time and is currently completing a Level 6 Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship. This see’s Hannah work four days a week at Valeport and spend a day a week studying with Aston University remotely. In her role, Hannah helps out with all areas of marketing from photography to exhibitions. Her favourite part of her role is creating content for Valeport’s website and social media channels.
Away from work, Hannah enjoys traveling and outdoor activities such as hiking and paddleboarding.
Matt Quartley
Managing Director
Matt is proud to be leading an ever-growing team of enthusiastic, skilled & knowledgeable individuals as we look to develop and produce world-leading environmental monitoring instruments.
His over-riding philosophy is "let's make everyone's life easier":
- our customers by making better products with shorter lead times and quicker service
- our suppliers by treating them with the same respect we give our customers
- our employees by giving them all the tools & facilities they need to do their jobs well. Matt is fortunate enough to enjoy coming into work, and he doesn't see why everybody else shouldn't be given the opportunity to feel the same way!
Phill Harvey
Finance Director
Phill left banking after 31 years to join the family business as FD. Working with the MD, who also happens to be his brother-in-law, they have implemented a period of rapid change to build on the already strong foundations at Valeport. Phill particularly enjoys the people side of the business which with nearly 100 colleagues from every walk of life is never dull! On the rare days when Phill feels at all demotivated, he just looks out of his office window and reminds himself of how lucky he is.
Samantha Headland
HR Administrator
Sam joined the company in 2005 initially in the Production Department. Since then she has worked with the Chief of Operations in a Supervisory role organising Production and HR Administration. This role has now developed into a full-time HR position and Sam is enjoying all aspects that the job has to offer, especially working closely with her colleagues.
Outside of work Sam enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Jeremy Law
Chief of Operations
Jeremy joined Valeport in July 1996 as a Mechanical Design Engineer, after two years with the company he then progressed on to become Production Manager. Now, as Chief of Operations, he has become responsible for all Production elements of the business as well Purchasing, Compliance, Health and Safety, and Facilities.
He likes to be kept busy and enjoys the variety of work which the job entails. When not at work relaxation is achieved through the peace and solitude of moors walking and swimming.
Amelia Wakeham
Compliance Officer
Amelia joined the company in October 2017 in the Operations Department providing administrative support to the Production Team and the Chief of Operations. She is ensures operations and facilities run smoothly and is responsible for the company’s compliance, including ISO Standards, Fit 4 Nuclear and ATEX. Amelia believes that compliance is vital to the business and is keen to maintain Valeport’s internal and external standards at the highest level possible.
Outside of work, Amelia is involved in the local cricket club, she also enjoys spending time with her family.
Amy Goss
Operations Administrator
Amy joined Valeport as an Operations Administration Apprentice in May 2021. Amy provides administrative support in all aspects of the business including health and safety, facilities, and standards/regulations. Part of her role also includes assisting the purchasing department. Amy has recently completed her Level 3 Diploma for the Business Administration, finishing the course two months earlier than expected and achieving a distinction. She also won Business and Management and overall Apprentice of the year at South Devon College’s 2023 Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her partner and dog.
Chris Lockyear
Quality Assurance Technician
Chris joined Valeport in July 2022. He had previously obtained certification in the AS9100:2016 aerospace standard of auditing and has been awarded the grade of practitioner with the chartered quality institute. Chris has spent the past 13 years working within the engineering and manufacturing industry, mainly in quality and continuous improvement roles. Chris’ role with us is focused on expanding and improving the quality systems we have at Valeport. His main focus points are improving product quality, assuring quality standards are maintained and using data capture to ensure continuous improvements are being made. He is also responsible for metrology, supplier quality issues, and highlighting potential process improvements through internal audits and inspection.
Most of his spare time is spent with his wife and two daughters, he also plays the guitar and has a keen interest in music and films.
Emma Finch
Purchasing Supervisor
Emma joined Valeport in summer 2006. She worked in the stores department as kitting supervisor until 2018 when she then moved to Purchasing department. Emma's day to day role involves; meeting with suppliers to negotiate prices and delivery schedules, working with our internal stakeholders to ensure that items come in for our products go out on time and working with our purchasing team to get orders placed and progressing. Emma is always looking at ways to provide cost savings and make improvements within the purchasing department. Emma has successfully completed a CMI level 3 in Leadership and Management, which she find useful within her role.
In her spare time she enjoys going for beach walks and spending time seeing family. Emma also volunteer as a facilitator with Women’s Wellbeing Club which is a local peer to peer support for women, similar to Andy’s man club.
Sharon Pinnell
Purchasing Assistant
Sharon has been with Valeport since 2004 and has always worked within the Purchasing Department, gaining lots of experience in that time. She ensures that the best prices, quality and delivery times possible are obtained to fulfil customers orders. Sharon is keen to keep the purchasing process as paperless as she can.
In her spare time, Sharon enjoys spending time in her garden and also volunteers as an enabler for children with disabilities in Torbay, providing respite for families.
Jay Nicholson
Head of R&D
Jay joined Valeport in 1992 after having spent 9 months previously as part of his sandwich degree course in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Having spent much of his early career working on many of the company’s highly successful products. Most recently, he was a major contributor to the company’s highly successful SWiFT product range. Jay now heads a team of 14 highly skilled Engineers. He is also very much involved in the firmware development of a number new products.
Outside of work, Jay enjoys competing in Triathlons locally in Devon and Cornwall as well as anything Engineering based from old Land Rovers to DIY.
Surya Dinesh
Product Support Manager
Surya joined Valeport in 2006 as a PCB Test engineer. After a span of 9 months, she joined the R&D team as Electronics Design Engineer. Over the years Surya has progressed through the company and in 2019, she became the Product Support Manager. This role involves working with a team of 14 engineers in the R&D department. Surya has the key role of managing the support to Production, as well as Sales & Customer technical queries. Surya is also very much involved in the PCB design and responsible for the product compliance, including ATEX and NSF certifications.
During her spare time, Surya loves cooking and enjoys the time with family.
Paul Smith
Software Development Manager
Paul joined Valeport in 2016, with 30+ years of experience working in Software Development. In the past, he has worked on a wide variety of platforms, including mobile (phones and tablets), PCs, Macs, mini computers, mainframe computers and internet applications. He currently leads our team of software engineers, creating and supporting customer facing applications as well as internal systems. The team are constantly striving to improve the quality and “user experience” of our software, and simplify complicated tasks.
When not in the office, or out in his sea kayak, Paul enjoys DIY, spending time with his family and exploring new technologies.
Charlie Russell
Machine Shop Manager
Charlie joined Valeport in 2004 and has managed our team of highly skilled machinists since 2009. With over 40 years experience in engineering, and still learning, he enjoys his work at Valeport and has the confidence in his team to know that our machined parts are of the highest quality.
Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family, and anything to do with motorsport.
Natasha Knott
Stores Manager
Natasha is our Stores Manager who started her journey here at Valeport in 2013 as a Business Administration Apprentice. After completing her Level 2 and 3 Certificates she moved to the Stores department in 2018 where she progressed to Stores Manager in 2022 after completing her Level 3 Management and Leadership Diploma. Natasha has a keen eye for small details that help to continually improve efficiency in her department and is an avid believer of Continual Professional Development.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, cooking and embroidery.
Reece Mottershead
Production Manager
Reece joined the company in 2013 as an apprentice in which he assembled and tested Valeport’s precision instrumentation. Reece took on the responsibility for the Product Assembly department in 2019 and has since completed a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Operational Management and Leadership, as well as the various Electronics based courses at the beginning of his career.
In January 2022 Reece became the new Valeport Production Manager. Now Reece leads a team of 34 and is responsible for all production functions at the Valeport and Valeport Water businesses, which includes the PCB Test Department, the Machine Shop and the Product Assembly Department.
In his spare time, Reece loves to keep up to date with the sporting world, in particular, professional tennis.
Jason Horsell
Production Engineering Manager
Jason is our Production Engineering Manager and is responsible for transitioning products from prototype through to production. His day-to-day responsibility is providing technical expertise and diagnosing and solving problems on the Production line. He started his career at Valeport as an Electronics Apprentice and then progressed to an Electronics Engineer before becoming the Production Engineering Manager. Since joining Valeport in 2004, Jason has developed a keen eye for detail and takes pride in ensuring the quality of Valeport products.
In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his young family and socialising with friends.