Shackerley welcomes Sir Lindsay Hoyle to Euxton HQ

We welcomed Speaker of the House of Commons and Chorley MP, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to our Lancashire HQ for a second time last week for a discussion about the urgent need for more apprentice training funding.

Sir Lindsay visited Shackerley at the invitation of Brian G Newell MBE, our founder and Group Chairman, who is also a founder member and Director of The Tile Association (TTA), where he also chairs the technical committee. Having previously welcomed Sir Lindsay to our showroom, factory and offices in Euxton in 2023, we were delighted to show him round again and discuss the need for funding to encourage and support young people into the sector.

“As a former member of the Trade and Industry Committee, who ran his own textile business before he became an MP, Sir Lindsay is very familiar with the critical role of apprenticeships and training in any sector,” commented Brian G Newell. “Funding for apprenticeships is vital for attracting new talent into our sector and overcoming skills gaps that are limiting growth across the supply chain. I am hoping that the conversations we have had today will be a catalyst for further discussions with industry bodies and was delighted to show Sir Lindsay what we’ve been up to since he was last here.”

Sir Lindsay last visited Shackerley’s Euxton HQ three years ago and was keen to find out more about the new products we have added to our range since then, along with our investment in our extensive second, ISO 9001 certified factory at Higher Walton, and a display at the Material Source studio in Manchester. He was able to offices, and to find out more about what we are innovating in the facades sector, with products such as our BrickClad^® Multi-Rail rapid installation system, and our Building Safety Act compliant SureWall^® complete facade through-wall build-up for higher risk residential buildings (HRBs).

Sir Lindsay commented: “It was fantastic to return to a company within my constituency and see how much it has grown and invested over the past three years. This is an SME punching significantly above its weight, both in the UK and further afield, driving innovation in its sector while considering the wider skills needs for the ceramics industry.

“Training, apprenticeships and the long-term needs of key industries such as construction are huge priorities for the UK and visits like this one really help to inform decision making. I am pleased I was able to spend time at Shackerley and catch up with Brian and the team today.”