Chemring Marine, which manufactures the Pains Wessex brand, has a new chairman and managing director.

From 1 June, Robert Hill moves to chairman from managing director and will also carry out a new role as managing director of Chemring EOD, which designs, manufactures and supplies products worldwide to the defence, security and police markets for the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), improvised explosive device disposal, unexploded ordnance and search, special forces and tactical sectors.

At the same time, Justine Heeley becomes managing director of Chemring Marine. She was previously sales director.

Robert Hill says, “Justine has done an outstanding job, helping grow the business and in strengthening our global distributor network.”

New chairman and managing director at Chemring Marine
Justine Heeley adds, “It is a great honour to be Chemring Marine’s new managing director and I am looking forward to continue to work closely with Robert as our new Chairman.”

Robert Hill has been managing director of Chemring Marine since its formation in March 2007.

Justine Heeley has a more than a decade of experience at Chemring Marine. She became sales director in January 2009 and was previously international sales manager and manager for Asia and Southern Europe, focusing on strengthening the global distributor network.

Chemring Marine’s Claire Newland has not only recently gained a prestigious accountancy qualification, she has been promoted to financial director.

Claire, who recently passed her final T4 exam, the final stage of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ professional qualification, was formerly financial controller.

The CIMA professional qualification is highly regarded because of its relevance to business. The professional qualification consists of ten exams including a final case study based on solving a business problem. Claire also had to complete three years of practical work experience.

Pains Wessex is owned by Chemring Marine, based in Fareham, UK, which is part of the Chemring Group. The company is the world’s leading supplier of SOLAS, MED and USCG-approved Marine Distress Signals to the commercial and leisure marine markets.

New chairman and managingdirector at Chemring Marine
Pains Wessex’s comprehensive range of distress signals is available through a global network of more than 200 distributors in 70-plus countries and is specified by the world’s navies, merchant fleets, fishing vessels, rescue services, airlines and leisure craft.

Its products are trusted by the world’s commercial and leisure marine markets for their reliability and they have been saving lives for more than a century.