Expansion underway at Barnbrook Systems

WARM WELCOME: Some of the nine new members of the team at Barnbrook Systems. From left, they are quality assurance process engineer Hazim Al-Wajeeh, electronics trainee Cameron Fox, production controller Karol Kowalik, financial controller Rosalind Lines and finance assistant Minah Wilson.

WARM WELCOME: Some of the nine new members of the team at Barnbrook Systems. From left, they are quality assurance process engineer Hazim Al-Wajeeh, electronics trainee Cameron Fox, production controller Karol Kowalik, financial controller Rosalind Lines and finance assistant Minah Wilson.

An engineering solutions business has made a raft of appointments as part of strategic growth plans.

Fareham-based Barnbrook Systems is welcoming nine new faces in a range of roles from trainee to senior positions.

It comes as the multi-award-winning firm embarks on the next phase of its development with renewed focus on its solutions for key markets in defence, rail, fire and security.

The business, founded in 1978, is projecting 30% growth in turnover in 2024 and the recruitment of another 10 staff to take its headcount close to 50

Andrew Barnett, managing director of Barnbrook Systems, said: “These appointments represent a major investment in our people and our business

“They are in line with changes to the business and our strategic expansion plans for 30% turnover growth as we concentrate on our key solutions and services for markets in the UK and abroad.”

Andrew, who was recently appointed to the board of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, added: “We are a dynamic and ambitious business which is looking forward to an exciting year ahead, including the Farnborough International Airshow in the summer.”

Barnbrook’s new starters include quality assurance process engineer Hazim Al-Wajeeh, who is a former Rolls-Royce Motor Cars worker from Southsea, and production controller Karol Kowalik, of Southampton, who will be responsible for planning and management across the firm’s manufacturing facility.

They have been joined by electronics trainee Cameron Fox, 17, of Denmead, and work experience intern Safin Ali, 18, of Portsmouth. Both have come to Barnbrook Systems from the Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST) in Fareham, part of the recently merged South Hampshire College Group.

Three more work experience interns in electro-mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering are due to start in January. They come to the company as a direct result of an employment fair held by Fareham MP Suella Braverman in late November. They also attend CEMAST.

Two new production and engineering team members are also due to start full time in January. The firm’s former head of engineering Keith Smith has returned as design consultant while Rosalind Lines, of Southsea, has joined as financial controller and Minah Wilson, of Chandlers Ford, has started as finance assistant.

Jenni Evans, work placement lead at CEMAST, said: “Successful partnerships between industry and education are absolutely crucial for our skills base and economy.

“We value Barnbrook’s support in providing hands-on experience and career path opportunities for our T-Level students and engineers of the future.

Barnbrook Systems solutions include its remote-sensing BlueCube enabled refuel switch which has allowed helicopters to refuel safely and efficiently in mid-air for the first time.

Others include its expertise for re-engineering and refurbishing brake controllers for trains to combat obsolescence, improve efficiency and bolster business continuity in the rail sector.

Its market leading fire suppression actuator systems – recently reconfigured with remote sensing capabilities for such measurables as pressure and temperature ­– have saved lives and protect data centres which keep the country’s digital infrastructure operating.

Barnbrook Systems is attending its 14th consecutive Farnborough International Air Show in July 2024.

ENDS