Neil Pryke has been appointed managing director of PPR Group UK.

Formerly operations and innovation director of  ASBCI member, James Heal, and manager of the brand’s Halifax site, Neil’s new role will see him responsible for James Heal and partner brand Mecmesin in West Sussex.

Established in 1872, engineering firm James Heal designs and manufactures a range of textiles testing solutions, with 80% of its products exported around the world. Neil joined the business 25 years ago as a mechanical design engineer. He was a major player in setting up and developing manufacturing facilities and operations in Halifax, and the creation and development of instruments such as the best-selling Titan CRE tensile tester.  

Neil said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to be starting my new role as MD across the PPT Group brands in the UK, continuing to develop new and innovative solutions at James Heal, and excited to work with our colleagues at Mecmesin, bringing my experience to another part of our global group of brands.’