Meet the Team

We have a great team that provides excellent customer service. Here are the team members you are most likely to interact with:

Grahame Houlder

Managing Director

[email protected]

All my knowledge and experiences are focused on the continued success...

Work

My career spans many decades in the polymer industry, ‘man and boy’ including ten valuable years with GE Plastics which truly raised the bar!  More recently all of my knowledge and experiences are focused on the continued success, and evolution of Polymer Compounders Ltd.

Outside

Apart from PCL my other real passions in life are my family, friends, music and real ales. I’ve travelled abroad, far and wide over the years, whilst nowadays I thoroughly enjoy holidaying on these wonderful shores. I still enjoy my running but no marathons for a while now….not enough time in the week to train!

Debbie Blaber

Area Sales Manager (South)

[email protected]

+44 (0) 7946 220214

I am passionate about providing great customer service...

Work

I have worked within the Plastics Industry since I was 16, I think it is in my blood. I followed my Father into the Industry as he was a Purchasing Manager for a Compounder on the South Coast of the UK. I began my career as an Office Junior, became an office based Customer Service Representative, studied Business and Finance at evening classes for 4 years before hitting the road as an Area Sales Manager. I now have more than 20 years’ experience and thoroughly enjoy being customer facing. I find developing relationships and trust with both existing and potential clients extremely rewarding. I am passionate about providing great customer service and achieving the best possible results for the client and the company. I realised early on how important customer service is to differentiate you to the competition and have witnessed the difference it can make to the reputation and success of both myself and the business I am representing.

Outside

I’m married and a very proud Mum to my wonderful daughter, Alice. I love to travel – having visited many countries and had some amazing experiences like swimming with Dolphins, Whale watching, walking on a live volcano, being up close and personal to Rhinos, Lions, Elephants and Giraffes on safari in Africa and there’s lots more I would like to do! I also enjoy listening to live music and regularly go to gigs both locally and further afield. I try to keep fit and healthy, however as a lover of good food and wine coupled with the company of great friends and family makes this a bit of a challenge sometimes!

Richard Clay

Area Sales Manager (North)

[email protected]

+44 (0) 7932 520315

I am constantly impressed by the innovation that our OEM’s, Tier-1's and moulders exhibit...

Work

Although new to PCL in 2016 it already feels home! Having worked for GE Plastics/Sabic for the first 13 years of my 20+ years in the plastics industry, it’s great to get reacquainted with a few old colleagues. In my previous roles I have worked as a CAE design engineer, moulding engineer and sales engineer selling high performance polymers and more recently carbon fibre composites to the motorsport and automotive industries. I love getting stuck into technical developments and I am constantly impressed by the innovation that our OEM’s, Tier 1’s and moulders exhibit. I am excited to be working with a PCL team so clearly passionate about the quality and service they provide their customers.

Outside

I love to get out and about on my mountain bike whenever I can. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many mountains in my home town of Manchester but there are plenty of off-road routes to explore in Lancashire. The rest of the weekend is dedicated to ferrying the kids around to all their clubs and activities!

Rupert Barrett

Commercial Development Manager

[email protected]

+44 (0) 7485 314095

Work

Outside

Rebecca Jones

Key Sales Specialist

[email protected]

+44 (0) 7398 815945

I currently manage a number of PCL’s customer accounts in my new role as Key sales specialist.

Work

I have 14 years of experience within the plastics industry. Skilled in Sales and Polymers.  I currently manage a number of PCL’s Customer accounts. My role includes providing excellent customer service to my clients, advising on product and grade selection from our comprehensive range of Engineering Plastics, providing quotes for material and lead times. Expediting fast colour match and sampling services from our site in Durham.  I can assist you from the very first stage of your application to the final production.  I am committed to our business and passionate about providing the best possible customer service to my customers, I will take the time to find out what the customers’ expectations are and do my very best to meet them every time. I am available via meetings in person, teams, or email.

Outside

I am married and a very proud mam to 3 boys (including twins). Even though my home life is absolute chaos most of the time, I wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s the most rewarding job of all. However, it is very important to me that I keep my independence, career and sanity by getting up and working hard. I believe you can have it all… if you are driven and put the effort in, so this is what I try to do every day!

My husband and I have completed and sold 3 home renovations over 3 years as this is something we are both passionate about doing; I think I may be a little bit addicted to this, to be honest, 😊 I’m a lover of home interior, fashion & travelling (anywhere hot!) I am a very social person and love going out with friends and family for good food & wine!

Nicole Morris

Sales Administrator

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

I can assist with most things within the office.

Work

I am the most recent admin team member and will likely be your first point of contact. Here at PCL, I am being trained to do everything within the sales admin role whilst also completing a business admin course. I can assist customers with most things within the office, e.g. pricing, processing of order acknowledgements, dispatch of material queries, lead times, delivery notes, invoicing and collections. I look forward to getting to know PCL’s customers more in the future.

 

Outside

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends when not at work. I like to listen to music and go to festivals, and I am currently learning how to drive.

Danielle Whitwell

Senior Administrator

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

I primarily assist with the purchasing and finance administration. I also cover the sales role in Nicole and Rebecca’s absence.

Work

I primarily assist with the purchasing and finance administration. I also cover the sales role in Nicole and Rebecca’s absence.

Outside

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, especially my two nephews. When I find the time I also like to create jewellery, read and do crosswords/puzzles.

Danielle Hodgson

Administrator

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

When not in the office I can be found assisting with colour matches...

Work

Along with Rebecca, I will likely be your first point of contact, either by telephone or at our Durham office. My role at PCL is as an administrator. I am responsible for setting up new customer accounts and processing your colour matches. When not in the office I can be found assisting with colour matches in the lab, improving my knowledge of both products and production and helping me provide a better level of customer service.

Outside

I studied Photography at University and still have a strong interest in the arts, spending a lot of my free time taking photographs and visiting galleries and exhibitions. I also enjoy running, swimming and Pilates several times a week, and spending time with my family and friends.

Stuart Hurst

Site Manager

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

The necessary skills to ensure all of our customers' needs are met here at PCL...

Work

I have been in the plastics industry for over 26 years now, having followed my father who was an employee of John Gibson Plastics back in the days. My career so far has gained me a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas associated with that of the thermoplastic extrusion industry, this now providing me with the necessary skills to ensure all of our customers’ needs are met here at PCL.

Outside

My life apart from PCL are my 3 kids (me being their personnel chauffeur) and the rest of my extended family and friends. But I always make time for my fortnightly visit with my son to the hallowed ground of St James Park to watch our beloved Newcastle United Football Club.

Stephen Blair

QA / Technical Manager

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

In charge of all matters Quality and Technical at PCL...

Work

My entire working life of over thirty years has been spent in polymer laboratories, first with BP Chemicals and then with GE Plastics. Whilst with GE plastics I was QA leader at Grangemouth and the European new product introduction engineer for manufacturing sites; coordinating the Design for Six Sigma tollgates for many grades, some of which are still well known in today’s industry. For the past seventeen years I have been in charge of all matters quality and technical at PCL including our ISO9001 accreditation and all our new product introductions.

Outside

Alloa FC fan, Science geek and Father to three grown ups..

John Dent

Senior Process Engineer

[email protected]

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

A total of 25 years in Quality and Product Development roles...

Work

I joined the PCL team in 2011, I am responsible for ensuring that all of our manufactured products meet the correct physical and quality specifications. I entered the compounding industry after leaving school and went on to study polymer technology whilst in the role of colourist and quality engineer.  I have now spent a total of 25 years in quality and product development roles, this includes 9 years as a materials technologist for the country’s oldest cable company prior to returning to colour compounding with PCL.

Outside

I enjoy playing snooker and golf, although not great at either and for my sins I am a Sunderland supporter which is a bit of a chore at times.

Nadine Jeffrey

Finance Manager

+44 (0) 191 378 3737

A role which I enjoy greatly and is becoming more varied as we move forward...

Work

Having gained experience in a variety of industries, I have been at PCL since 2001.  During that time my duties have covered the majority of the administration functions of the company giving me a good understanding of the business as a whole. Since 2009 I have been the Finance Manager, a role which I enjoy greatly and which is becoming more varied as we move forward.

Outside

I love to travel and choose to go on touring holidays so that I can see more of the country (I’ve always been a bit nosey)!  I am also a keen walker but should the weather prove too bad then I like nothing more than to curl up with a good kindle.  My other interests include going to live concerts (an eclectic mix of music) and paper crafting – cards to friends and family as well as scrapbooking the memories of places I’ve visited.

Let’s not forget the hardworking production operators who work day and night to create materials according to your specifications.