Newton Aycliffe manufacturer Ebac has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Dianne Sharp.
Ms Sharp has taken on the position of chief executive at Ebac, which manufactures domestic products including water coolers, dehumidifiers, chest freezers and ground source heat pumps.
She brings a wealth of business experience to the position.
As regional director of the CBI, a trustee of Key Fund, former managing director of SCM Pharma and after a decade with County Durham electrical component maker Mechetronics Dianne has undoubted business acumen and an excellent track record of running efficient, high-growth businesses.
Dianne will be responsible for the day-to-day production operation of Ebac, the quality of its products and will support the ambitious growth plans of the company.
The company aims to double its 200-strong workforce as it expands its product range, having already started producing Norfrost Chest Freezers at its premises on Aycliffe Business Park.
Ebac will later this year become the UK’s only manufacturer of washing machines in the next few months, having invested £7m and many years of research and development into the new products.
Pamela Petty, chief executive of parent company Ebac Group Limited (pictured above with Ms Sharp), said: “I am very pleased that Dianne has agreed to join Ebac.
“This is an exciting time as the company launches new products to the market, and targets significant growth, and to have someone of Dianne’s calibre on the senior team will be extremely beneficial.”
Ms Sharp said: “Ebac is an innovative and forward-thinking company and this position takes me back to my manufacturing roots.
“I am looking forward to supporting Pamela and working with the team at Ebac as the company grows, expands into new products and markets and continues to be a major contributor to the local economy.”
John Elliott, who founded Ebac in 1972, remains as chairman of the Ebac Foundation and, along with the Trustees will continue to lead the long-term strategy of the business.
The trustees – John Elliott, Cliff Laverick and Paul Elliott (no relation) – oversee the business at a strategic level; they are joined by a community based trustee on a rolling three year basis.
The trustees are charged with using the profits to make the business stronger in the North East and also, to use any surpluses to support good causes in local communities.
The structure ensures that the business will not be sold for personal profit and will deliver long-term sustainable manufacturing employment locally.