Guardtech Group strengthen sales team with addition of new GMP Commercial Manager

The Guardtech Group has announced the hiring of Pharmaceuticals specialist John Edwards. Edwards, who has spent his career working in various roles across the Pharma, Medical Device and Speciality Chemical sectors, will take on the post of GMP Commercial Manager at the Guardtech Group.

His arrival sees colleague Andrew Cressey pivot to the position of ISO Commercial Manager, allowing him to focus on the sectors of cleanroom construction that suit his own wealth of expertise – including Aerospace, Battery Manufacturing, Defence, Micro-electronics, Optical Manufacturing, Injection Moulding and other complex engineering and manufacturing applications.

Edwards will utilise his working knowledge of Annex 1 and the regulations that govern GMP facilities to offer Guardtech clients a premium cleanroom construction design & build service.

“I can’t wait to get started. I’ve known the team from Guardtech for some time now, as our paths have often crossed at Pharmaceutical and Medical Device exhibitions. I’ve always been hugely impressed by the facilities they construct and I’m looking forward to being a part of the process personally in the future,” said Edwards.

Guardtech Group Commercial Manager Mark Wheeler added: “The division of the Commercial Manager role is to ensure that clients are receiving the most appropriate specialist advise from consultants experienced in that particular field and most suited to advise in detail on their application. GMP facilities and ISO classified environments are often regarded in the same vein, although their form is similar their function is markedly different, so relying on industry experts rather than dividing by geographic territory was the most obvious next step to deal with our ever-increasing pipeline.

“The Guardtech Group is built on the foundation of quality client interaction and sharing our knowledge and experience to arrive at the very best design solution for all clients before proceeding to quote and ultimately construction, this appointment aids and strengthens this strategy.”

Edwards studied Archaeological Chemistry at the University of Bradford before completing a Masters in Analytical Chemistry at Northumbria University.

He began his career working alongside his father David at family business Edwards Analytical, an independent consultancy used primarily for bespoke analysis and evaluation of packaging materials for the Pharmaceutical, Healthcare and Food industries, where he eventually graduated into the role of Director.

Having built up a network of contacts in those sectors, Edwards became General Manager at Marfleet Analytical Services, an independent, consultancy-led analytical laboratory specialising in the analysis and evaluation of materials and products for a wide range of industrial sectors including Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Cosmetic, Food and Speciality Chemicals.

“I’d like to welcome John to the Group on behalf of the Board and the whole Guardtech family,” said Wheeler. “John has been working in and around GMP facilities for his whole career and we believe his combination of on-the-ground experience, industry knowledge and process expertise will help us deliver an even better service to our clients in the GMP world than ever before.

“Our customers are going to be in safe hands with John – and we look forward to elevating our standing in the cleanroom construction world further thanks to his arrival.”