A North East lighting business has secured a team of quality new recruits to capitalise on its rapid growth.

Artech Lighting has welcomed new Sales Director, Sean Kirkland; designer, Georgia Barker; and apprentice Lewis Cowley to its Durham City HQ in recent weeks.

Sean is the latest appointment, bringing with him over 25 years’ experience in the sector with Whitecroft Lighting, where he was UK Sales Director, before stepping down earlier in the year.

Sean, from Northumberland, said: “I’m really excited about the future for Artech, they have had a huge impact across the lighting industry over the past few years, winning contracts from the established global brands and building a reputation for quality, efficiency and delivery.

“It’s fantastic to be part of this incredible young company that is designing, developing and manufacturing some of the best lighting solutions on the market, right here in North East England. I love that it’s UK made, which brings real credibility to the product as it is vital that we support UK manufactured products to improve both service levels to our clients and also reduce the impact freight has on our carbon footprint.

“I’ve worked in lighting most of my adult life and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so enthused about a project. I think the future looks incredibly bright for Artech Lighting.”

Sean will oversee all UK sales strategy and work with Artech Scotland and Artech London to further increase the firm’s share of the UK lighting market.

Artech’s staff has risen to over 30 people in recent years, due to a string of major contracts secured in the UK and overseas. Turnover has also more than doubled in the same period

Sean joins designer Georgia, a former engineering apprentice, who recently relocated to Durham from Worcestershire. The 24 year-old said: “I applied for the role at Artech Lighting after researching local lighting manufacturers, as I wanted to use my experience in the industry and continue my career in a challenging and interesting engineering role.”

Lewis, 19, is Artech Lighting’s latest apprentice, having, spent the last two years studying Criminology, Finance and Business Studies at Durham Sixth Form Centre. He’s now at New College Durham, studying for his Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

Lewis said: “After doing some research on Artech Lighting and getting an interview for the role, I could tell straight away that it was a perfect fit. It is an exciting, growing company with great ambitions that match my desire to succeed in business.”

Artech Managing Director, Stuart Hylton said: “It’s great to welcome so much fresh talent to the business, I have no doubt they will add enthusiasm and bring new ideas to our team.

“Securing Sean is a real coup – he understands the industry inside out and brings a wealth of experience. Georgia and Lewis are real bright young things – I have no doubt they have incredible futures ahead of them.

“This is a real exciting time for Artech and we’re all very much looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Artech Lighting is a UK Lighting Company based in County Durham that designs, develops and manufactures lighting solutions. Along with its sister company Apex Wiring Solutions they have been manufacturing and distributing products in the North East for over 40 years.