Mark Warren, managing director of Lister Trade Frames, has decided to step away from his role and hand over the reins to his two fellow directors, Darren Pusey and Phil Warren with immediate effect.
This follows what is described as a ‘stellar career’ at the helm of Listers for nigh on 30 years, as well as taking on the roles of president of the GGF and chairman of Fensa.
Under Mark’s stewardship, Lister’s became a ‘dominant force’ in the industry scooping Fabricator the Year at the G-awards three times, as well as being the first recipients of the Derek Bonnard Award. But it was his relationship with his staff and the Stoke on Trent community that is said to have ‘truly stood Mark apart from his contemporaries’.
He firmly believed that a company is only as good as its staff and with the vast majority of the workforce having more than 15 years’ service under their belt, Mark is said to have garnered ‘total respect and dedication’ from his team.
“And that is the magic of Mark,” commented Phil Warren, sales director. “People wanted to work for him. Whether you were on the shop floor, working on the skips or manning the sales office, Mark knew everyone and had time for us all. Being the boss and a friend, is a tightrope not many men can walk, but Mark seemed to manage it effortlessly.”
In his time as MD at Lister’s, Mark helped grow the business from operating in a shed at the foot of the garden to a £12m company with over 120 staff. His long-time friend and co-director, Darren Pusey, said: “Mark was absolutely key to building team spirit as well as ensuring the business remained ahead of the curve. Working with him kept all of us motivated to succeed…and I do mean all of us!”
