Supplied around the world
Meet the Team Behind Ironsides Lubricants
Meet some of the team behind Ironsides Lubricants! With decades of expertise in high-performance lubricants, our dedicated team works tirelessly to deliver innovative and reliable solutions for a wide range of industries. From research and development to customer support, every member of our team plays a vital role in ensuring top-quality products and exceptional service. Get to know the people driving our commitment to excellence!
Stephen Williams
Operations Manager
Stephen Williams
Operations Manager
Stephen has been part of Ironsides since 2017, leading the Operations team across QSHE (Quality, Safety, Health & Environment), Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, and Technical Departments. With over 20 years of experience in Operations Management, Mechanical Engineering, Petro-chem Logistics and Renewable Energy, Stephen offers a broad industry perspective, having worked with leading companies such as Suttons Tankers and Argent Energy. His focus is on driving efficiency, maintaining the highest standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. He is very passionate about collaboration and innovation, working alongside a skilled team to uphold quality, safety, and environmental excellence. Creating a positive impact, both within the company and across the industry, is something Stephen take great pride in. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated endurance athlete, competing in Ironman and 70.3 distance triathlons, as well as coaching in his local triathlon community. A lifelong Manchester City supporter, Stephen also enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
Jason Simpkins
Sales Manager
Jason Simpkins
Sales Manager
Jason joined Ironsides in January 2024, heading up the Sales Department and has attained over 25 years’ direct sales experience. He has worked in the UK lubricants and adhesive industrial based industries over 16 years, for companies including BP (Castrol), Watson Fuels (Shell/Texaco) and Bostik. Jason is passionate about Sales and Customer Service, and supporting our many customers, helping to develop and grow business in partnership. He enjoys traveling, meeting customers and prospects face to face to build solid and lasting mutually beneficial relationships. Based in Nottingham at the heart of England, Jason is married with two children, a qualified FA football coach and manages two youth football teams at weekends. As a season ticket holder with both his kids, Jason is also a passionate supporter of Nottingham Forest FC.
Thomas Melia
Technical Manager
Thomas Melia
Technical Manager
Thomas joined Ironsides Lubricants as Technical Co-Ordinator in January 2022, holding the position for 3 years before taking over the responsibility of Technical Manager in February 2025. Thomas is tasked with coordinating all R&D work within the business, focusing on technical excellence and meeting customer requirements. Thomas relishes the opportunities to spearhead product advancements and to solve intricate technical challenges, whilst ensuring the Ironsides portfolio meets all the requirements of increasingly stringent regulations and legislation. Prior to Ironsides, Thomas was the Technical Controller of a private lubricant blender for 12 years, with responsibility for their automotive range of products within the UK and EU.
In his personal time, Thomas is a keen follower of all sports, most notably football and cricket, and enjoys getting out on his road bike (when the weather permits) and entering the odd fell race (he must be mad). Thomas also has a huge interest in music, and is Ironsides’ self-proclaimed resident DJ!
Brittany Richards
R&D Chemist
Brittany Richards
R&D Chemist
Claire Fannon
Export Sales Administrator
Claire Fannon
Export Sales Administrator
Claire joined Ironsides in December 2015, and assumed the role of Export Sales Administrator in August 2016. Before joining Ironsides Claire worked in the legal industry for 27 years.
Claire is very passionate about her role at Ironsides. She enjoys supporting our export customers with their purchasing and logistical requirements. She has also built up very good relationships with various carriers and shippers whilst in her position.
In the office Claire enjoys organising charity events such as Football Shirt Friday, MacMillan Coffee Morning and Christmas Jumper day.
Claire was born and raised in Stockport and lives only a ‘stone’s throw’ away from our factory.
