Research and Development Team
At Holt Lloyd, we’re proud that our products are developed, tested and manufactured here in the UK. We have a lab in Manchester where our highly skilled and experienced Research and Development team make sure each of our products performs for you on the road.
Products are then manufactured at our dedicated facility in Newquay, ready to be shipped across the UK and the world.
Meet the Research and Development Team behind Holts Products
Our Research and Development team work at a lab in Manchester by our head office, so we can work closely together to develop our products. You can find out more about them and their roles here.
The team is comprised of: Bruce Ellis Global Technical Director, Ross Fielding Product Stewardship and Compliance Manager, Richard Hitchman Product Development Manager, Phil Carruthers Research and Development Chemist, Terry Curtis Quality Technician and Dan Brearley Research and Development Chemist.
Bruce Ellis, Global Technical Director
Bruce is head of the Research and Development team, and works closely with brand managers and to ensure our products meet the needs of the market.
Bruce says: “They say that variety is the spice of life and here at the Holts Technical Centre, no two days are the same. My role as Global Technical Director is so varied and I get the opportunity to visit many new markets around the world. It’s the sheer number of new and exciting global car care product development opportunities that keeps me going.”
Richard Hitchman, Product Development Manager
Richard is our Product Development Manager and specialises in Professional products for mechanics and trade, and Packaging.
Rich says: “Working at Holts allows me to engage with the whole product development process; from idea conception, through formulation and packaging developments, to final production, which keeps my workload very varied and interesting. In my spare time I enjoy fixing the cars of my friends, family and colleagues, as well as my own. I’m currently keeping three old, high mileage cars on the road and often get the opportunity to combine this with hobby with projects at work.”
Phil Carruthers, Chemist
Phil is a Chemist and specialises in Appearance products such as Simoniz, and also in paints and bodyshop products.
Phil says: “I enjoy working in R&D due to the variety of products we work on, I get to combine my interest in cars with my job and each day is different from the last. Not to mention that it’s always good to see something you developed on a shelf.”
Terry Curtis, Quality Technician
Terry is a Quality Technician and specialises in quality assurance for our products.
Terry says: Within this FMCG environment I get to work with quality car care products. I also enjoy being involved in a wide and varied number of daily tasks associated with a busy R&D laboratory. The role offers pleasant, modern and safe working conditions, and I’m lucky to work with helpful, friendly and knowledgeable colleagues both here in R&D and at the main office.”
Ross Fielding, Product Stewardship and Compliance Manager
Ross manages Product Stewardship and Compliance, he ensures that all our products are safe and fulfil our obligations and duties.
Ross says: “Product stewardship is important to us all at Holts, but with over 25 years of experience as a Regulatory Specialist, it’s my role to ensure our products are safe for people and the environment. With over 1000 products to look after, there’s never a dull day in the Holts Technical Centre.”