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Staff Profiles
Mark Ormiston
Managing Director
Mark is the sixth generation Ormiston to lead this family business which was founded in 1793. While he has overall responsibility for the direction and development of the company, his areas of specialist expertise include product design, quality control and providing technical help.
But he also takes a keen interest in environmental and energy efficiency issues. Under his guidance Ormiston was the first UK firm to install a wind turbine and solar panels, at its Isleworth factory, for which it received the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development in 2002.
Mark's environmental interests carry through into his personal life too. He doesn't own a car, preferring to cycle, which he did for charity in 2008, cycling from Lands End to John o' Groats in 9 days, 1 hour and 22 minutes. He also takes a keen interest in the history and conservation of the River Thames and he took part in the Queen's Jubilee Pageant in 2012.
Mark says: 'Leading a small manufacturing company can be challenging, but with the excellent staff we have, and in particular their experience and enthusiasm, it makes my job much easier'.
Pauline Ormiston
Director/Company Secretary
Pauline's involvement with the business goes back more than 30 years. Today, she is responsible for all financial aspects and any related issues.
As she recalls: 'My association with Ormiston began when I was 12, when my mother was secretary to the then Chairman, John Ormiston. When I was 19, I took a temporary job with the company as an assistant in the accounts department. This was a far cry from the computerised and technologically-advanced department it is today!'.
Outside the office Pauline has a deep and lasting love of all things Italian. She says: 'I love the language, the country, the culture and especially the food! I have been on a couple of Italian cookery courses in Tuscany and enjoy cooking Italian and especially eating out in good Italian restaurants'.
Chitra Puri
General Manager
Chitra has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of Ormiston, as well as dealing with customers who visit the factory. She joined the company over 30 years ago as an assistant to the then purchasing and production managers. When they retired she took over their roles, eventually progressing to become General Manager.
Today, Chitra's main focus is sales, purchasing and costing, whether sourcing materials from stock, or manufacturing to meet particular specifications. She works closely with the factory foreman on all stock and production issues and with Karley, the Quality Manager, to ensure overall quality control, particularly where bought-in raw materials are concerned.
Chitra says: 'I have raised three children while working at Ormiston. Now I enjoy eating out and trying different types of cuisine. I even enjoy an occasional flutter on the horses!'
Karley Ormiston
Assistant Company Secretary
Karley has been with the company for nearly 20 years and is the first point of contact for potential and existing customers, whether by phone or email. Her primary role is to ensure customer satisfaction at all times by making sure their particular needs are met accurately and promptly.
As she says: 'I suppose my specialist expertise is seeing to it that everything that needs to be done gets done. In addition to dealing with any quality issues, this can include processing orders, handling enquiries, invoicing, recruitment, and issuing Certificates of Conformity.
When away from work, Karley likes to spend time with her two god-daughters. She has also done voluntary work in South Africa and would like to go on another such adventure again soon. She enjoys music, movies, dance and has taken Flamenco lessons. She enjoys baking and likes to experiment on her colleagues, which has resulted both in triumphs and disasters!
Karley is also a fully qualified Massage Therapist and is currently studying for a qualification in Aromatherapy. Later in the year she will be completing her qualification in Reiki healing. She will be volunteering at the London Marathon and is looking forward to helping tired runners who are competing on behalf of Diabetes UK.
