Kerr joins Hewden Stuart

Hewden Stuart has appointed a group head of technical training to ensure the company puts a higher profile on training. The appointment of John Kerr, whose remit will include the training needs of fitters through to sales, coincides with an industry-wide shortage of skilled workers.

General plant managing director Fred Batho said: "We're aware of the importance of training and have appointed one person with overall responsibility as part of our attempt to attract more people into the industry."

Executive director Roger Quenby said: "We have to ensure the quality of our staff because we cannot off-load to others our responsibility to look after our customers."