Name: Ray Wheeler
Role: Chairman & Company Secretary
Years with Guardtech: 21
Hi Ray! Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I grew up in Hertfordshire with two brothers – one has his own accountancy practice and the other is an Ewok. I attended Grammar School through to A Levels and have continued education in some form or other whenever possible, including an MBA and ILM training. My education was originally aimed at becoming a quantity surveyor, and after trying that for a while I then moved into industry and had various sales roles prior to running my own business.”
How did you get into cleanroom Design & Build?
“I’ve been involved in the cleanroom market for most of my career, originally with cleanroom consumables and then starting the construction business around the end of the last millennium when it was a division of Guardline Technology.”
What keeps you busy outside of work?
“I’m a father of three, grandad to three boys and one girl, and uncle to many – too many to count! Playing golf and tennis and watching sport come high on my list of outside activities and trying to restore a Sunbeam Alpine when time allows.”
What does your role as Chairman entail?
“Setting strategy, ensuring compliance with regulations and the law, and overseeing the finances of the business.”
What do you love about your job?
“Seeing the end product in action and the feeling that our team has done a great job to the customer’s satisfaction.”
What’s the most challenging thing about being a Chairman?
“Making sure the strategy turns into reality.”
How would you describe Guardtech Cleanrooms to someone who knows nothing about the business?
“We build cleanrooms and laboratories for the Life Science and Electronics industry to keep the product clean and fit for purpose.”
And finally… if you were a piece of laboratory furniture or equipment, what would you be – and why?
“An agitator – as I have to mix all the ingredients together to produce the best end result.”