LEADERSHIP
DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE

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  “Quality is never an accident; it is the result of experience, commitment, and doing things the right way.”

  Founder

  Clive Heighton

  With more than 50 years of experience in the steel manufacturing and construction industries, Clive Heighton has dedicated his career to delivering high-quality steelwork solutions across a diverse range of sectors. His extensive industry knowledge, practical expertise, and strong relationships within the construction and engineering communities have been instrumental in shaping the success of CR Steel.

  Clive founded the company with a simple philosophy: deliver quality workmanship, provide dependable service, and build lasting relationships through trust and integrity. His hands-on approach and commitment to excellence established the foundations upon which the business continues to thrive today.

  Although the company has evolved significantly over the years, Clive's values remain embedded in every aspect of the organisation, helping to ensure CR Steel continues to deliver the high standards that clients have come to expect.

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  “Success comes from combining experience, innovation, and a commitment to delivering for our clients every time.”

  Managing Director

  Ryan Heighton

  As Managing Director, Ryan Heighton leads the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of CR Steel. With more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership, production management, and steel manufacturing, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of every stage of the steelwork process.

  Ryan is responsible for driving business growth, operational performance, and continuous improvement across the organisation. His leadership focuses on delivering outstanding customer service while investing in modern technologies, efficient systems, and skilled people to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

  By combining practical manufacturing knowledge with a forward-thinking approach, Ryan has helped position CR Steel as a trusted partner for clients across commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and energy-sector projects.

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  “Strong relationships and clear communication are the foundations of every successful project.”

  Commercial Director

  Jenny Barnes

  Jenny Barnes brings over 10 years of experience in procurement, project management, and commercial leadership, with significant expertise in the energy sector and specialist substation steelwork projects.

  As Commercial Director, Jenny plays a pivotal role in ensuring projects are delivered commercially successfully from tender stage through to completion. She oversees procurement strategies, contract management, client relationships, and project financial performance, helping to ensure value is delivered for both clients and stakeholders.

  Her attention to detail, strong commercial awareness, and collaborative approach enable CR Steel to manage complex projects efficiently while maintaining transparency, accountability, and strong client partnerships throughout the project lifecycle.

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  “Great engineering is about creating practical solutions that deliver value from concept through to completion.”

  Engineering Design Manager

  Rocky Gomes MSc CEng MIMechE

  Rocky Gomes is a Chartered Engineer with a Master's degree and more than 17 years of experience in engineering design, project management, and structural steel solutions. His extensive background includes the successful delivery of complex projects within the energy and infrastructure sectors, particularly substation steelwork.

  As Engineering Design Manager, Rocky leads CR Steel's engineering and design function, ensuring every project is delivered with technical precision, compliance, and practicality. He oversees structural design, engineering calculations, detailing, and project coordination, working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to develop efficient and buildable solutions.

  Rocky's ability to bridge the gap between engineering design and practical fabrication ensures that projects not only meet technical requirements but are also optimised for manufacture, installation, and long-term performance.

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  “Operational excellence is achieved when planning, communication, and execution work together seamlessly.”

  Operations Manager

  Jamie Mitchell

  With over 20 years of experience in steel manufacturing and production management, Jamie Mitchell is responsible for ensuring the seamless coordination of CR Steel's operational activities.

  As Operations Manager, Jamie oversees project planning, resource allocation, production scheduling, and delivery performance across the business. His ability to coordinate multiple disciplines ensures projects progress efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and productivity.

  Jamie works closely with all departments to ensure effective communication and project execution, helping clients benefit from reliable lead times, efficient workflows, and consistent delivery performance.

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  “Quality workmanship is built on pride, precision, and attention to every detail.”

  Workshop Manager

  Pawel Piatek

  Pawel Piatek brings more than 20 years of experience in structural steel fabrication, welding, and workshop leadership. His expertise spans complex fabrication projects, quality assurance, and the development of efficient workshop processes that maximise productivity without compromising quality.

  As Workshop Manager, Pawel leads the fabrication team and oversees all workshop operations, ensuring every component produced meets CR Steel's exacting standards. His meticulous attention to detail, technical expertise, and commitment to craftsmanship help maintain the quality and reliability for which the company is known.

  Through strong leadership and a passion for continuous improvement, Pawel plays a vital role in ensuring projects leave the workshop on time, to specification, and ready for successful installation on site.

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  “Quality welding is the foundation of structural integrity, and excellence comes from doing every job right the first time.”

  Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC)

  Gary Gwynne

  With more than 40 years of experience in welding, fabrication, and quality assurance within the structural steel industry, Gary Gwynne serves as CR Steel's Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC). Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in welding procedures, quality management systems, fabrication standards, and compliance within highly regulated manufacturing environments.

  As Responsible Welding Coordinator, Gary plays a critical role in ensuring that all welding activities are carried out in accordance with the relevant industry standards, specifications, and quality requirements. He oversees welding procedures, welder qualifications, inspection processes, and quality assurance systems, helping to maintain the highest levels of workmanship across every project.

  His deep technical knowledge and practical understanding of fabrication operations provide invaluable support to both the workshop and engineering teams. Gary's attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that CR Steel consistently meets the stringent requirements of standards such as BS EN 1090, welding quality requirements, and client-specific specifications.

  With decades of hands-on experience and a reputation for technical excellence, Gary remains an integral part of CR Steel's commitment to delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality structural steelwork.

How leadership shows up

• Owner-operator on the floor

  • Managing Director engaged in live project decisions
  • Direct line for Tier 1 client escalations
  • Decisions taken close to the workshop
  • No layers between client and accountable owner

• Transparent reporting

  • Weekly programme calls with major framework clients
  • Live production status visible to procurement
  • Honest red/amber/green commentary
  • Issues surfaced with options, not surprises

• Experience that compounds

  • Senior team with multi-decade steel sector tenure
  • Substation steelwork specialists on the leadership bench
  • Welding, QA and project disciplines all represented
  • Mentoring the next generation of UK fabricators

• Long-horizon decisions

  • Independently owned — no investor exit pressure
  • Reinvesting margin into plant and software
  • Building 10-year framework relationships
  • Same management today as five years ago