Gareth L.
Chief Operating Officer @Surface Transforms Plc
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WORK HISTORY
Chief Operating Officer @Surface Transforms Plc
Chief Operating Officer leading operational transformation in advanced automotive manufacturing. At Surface Transforms, I have responsibility for end-to-end plant performance across production, supply chain, quality, logistics, and operational improvement. The business reported c.120% revenue growth in FY2025 versus FY2024, a near threefold reduction in operating loss before interest and tax, and materially improved manufacturing yield through 2025 as new processes, automation, and capacity improvements took effect. My focus is on turnaround, scale-up, cost control, process capability, team leadership, and building robust operations that can deliver sustainable growth in demanding manufacturing environments.
EDUCATION
De Montfort University
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Engineering
ABOUT GARETH L.
I am an international operations executive with 20+ years of leadership experience across automotive, industrial and advanced manufacturing, with a track record of improving performance, restoring control, and delivering results in demanding environments. I have held COO, General Manager and Managing Director roles with full responsibility for operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, service, people, commercial performance, and overall business delivery. My focus has always been the same: fix what is limiting performance, build stronger teams, improve execution, and turn operational pressure into measurable business results. Across my career, I have led initiatives that increased production volume by 31%, restored positive EBITDA, improved EBITDA year on year, reduced absenteeism from 8% to 2.8%, cut defects by 29%, reduced operating expenditure by 8%, and tripled the active customer base from 1 to 3 key accounts. I have also led businesses to achieve external recognition including Caterpillar Platinum SQEP and Bosch Top 100 Sales Excellence Award twice. My experience spans plant leadership, turnaround, scale-up, lean transformation, cost reduction, customer diversification, new product introduction, quality systems, and organisational capability building across the UK, Europe, the US and Southeast Asia. I am Lean Six Sigma Black Belt qualified and known for a practical, data-led, hands-on approach, strong accountability, and a clear bias for action. I am at my best in roles that require turnaround, pace, accountability, and measurable improvement.
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