STERLING THERMAL TECHNOLOGY

To support ambitious growth targets, Directorbank sources two key roles for Sterling Thermal Technology: an Engineering Director and a Director of Projects and Procurement.

Company background

Based in Aylesbury, Sterling Thermal Technology (STT) is a specialist engineering, manufacturing and services company that supplies bespoke heat exchange solutions primarily for the power distribution, renewables, defence and industrial markets across the world.

The business is backed by Pemberstone Capital Partners, a PE firm focused on high growth businesses with ambitious teams and strong product and service differentiation.

The brief

With significant opportunities over the medium term, the business is looking to grow both organically and through acquisition. Additionally, the business plans to further diversify its product offering with sustainability at its core.

To support this next phase of growth, STT required an exceptionally well qualified Engineering Director as a main board post – a technical expert with a track record in similar industries and significant experience in heat exchangers, thermodynamics and/or fluid dynamics. Furthermore, a strategic mindset and a passion for excellence would be essential along with strong communication skills to inspire, coach and develop a high-performance team. Importantly an exposure to far horizon, sustainable markets was important alongside experience of operating in a world class environment with the agility to be successful in an SME.

The process

Given the highly technical nature of the search, we established a core list of target companies with like for like technical competencies and then established a series of adjacent channels. A shortlist of six candidates was delivered within the agreed scope and timeline (six weeks). Ultimately Mike Whitehead was offered the role.

The result

Mike is an accomplished engineering executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in technology development, operational transformation and manufacturing across diverse sectors. His career reflects a trajectory of impactful contributions to industry-leading organisations and pioneering projects, with a focus on fostering high-performing teams and achieving technical and operational milestones.

Previously Mike held several directorships at Reaction Engines delivering pioneering thermal management solutions. Preceding this, Mike enjoyed a stellar career at Rolls Royce including Chief Engineer for Tidal Generation and culminating as a member of Rolls Royce Executive Leadership Group as Global Director of Product Development Operations in Civil Aerospace.

Subsequent appointment

From Directorbank’s strong shortlist of candidates, a strategic decision was made to also recruit a Director of Projects and Procurement, a role that would work in partnership with the Engineering Director to align resources, streamline processes, facilitate innovation and ensure scalability and resilience. Craig McColl was offered the position.

Craig has held pivotal roles in driving operational excellence and team performance with responsibility for managing the end-to-end project lifecycle, strategic procurement, supply chain optimisation and complex logistics. His previous roles include Project Engineering Director at Heat Exchange Group, a provider of heat exchanger products, and ENGIE, a provider of flexible energy storage for electricity and gas. He also held senior project engineering roles at Transport for London and Worley.