Jeff founded Sharples Davies Ltd in 1996 having had a succesful career working at companies such as Sadolin, Uponor (Caradon) & Bernstein Kitchens.
The name Sharples Davies comes from; Sharples being his Middle Name & Davies his wife’s Maiden name.
The business was founded and will always be grounded on his values; Honesty & Integrity
Gareth joined Sharples Davies in 2006 as a Consultant. Since 2014 his role has developed to Managing Director as the Sharples Davies team has grown. As a Consultant he works across all assignments, interviews candidates and visits clients. Part of his role is to develop the recruitment, business development and candidate teams. Jeff built a fantastic business and reputation, Gareth’s goal is maintain the high standards and push the business forward as we continue to grow.
Gareth is dad to Noah & Jessica. He is a season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers (yes someone has to!) and enjoys taking Noah to the games. Gareth enjoys going to the gym and training (can’t think of a better way to destress). He is a fair weather golfer and likes to play poker. He is currently Manager at Chorley Wanderers u13’s.
Fun Facts about Gareth:
Was a black belt at karate before he was 10
Thought the lyrics to the Christmas song “Do they know its Christmas was Jesus wooooooh” instead of feed the world
TV Show: Game of Thrones, Ozark, Line of Duty
Sport: Football, Boxing, Cricket
Film: Top Gun & Top Gun Maverick, Heat,
Music: Coldplay, Pink Floyd, Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Noah Kahan
Likes: Bolton Wanderers, Coaching at Chorley Wanderers
Dislikes: People not doing what they say they will, Ignorant people
Technology: TV & Guitar
Couldn’t live without: Stress & Playing Guitar, oh and Jo
Most like to meet: Tom Cruise
Drink: Guinness or Coke
Food: Chinese
Advice: When you point the finger of blame there is three fingers pointing back at you
Our longest serving member of the team joining Sharples Davies in 2005. Jo’s responsibilities are split from Finance, HR & Recruitment. As a consultant she is responsible for working on assignments from Start to finish, interviewing candidates, visiting clients and attending exhibitions. In 2015 after 10 years of hard work and commitment Jo was made Finance & HR Director responsible for accounts, forecasting, reporting and most importantly paying the wages.
Jo’s parents are Polish, she grew up in Dubai so has had a diverse childhood. She met her Husband (who is our Managing Director) at University and now have two children Noah & Jessica and two Cocker Spaniel Puppies Reggie and Kobe who keep them on their toes.
Fun Facts about Jo:
Her first language is Polish (she only started speaking English when she went to Nursery). Lived in Dubai as a teenager when it was all dirt tracks & villas.
TV Show: Friends, MasterChef, Good Doctor, Yellowstone, just love a good series.
Sport: Gymnastics
Film: Dirty Dancing
Music: Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Fleetwood Mac – love a Power Ballad
Likes: Shopping, Reading (Crime & Psychological Thrillers) & Going for meals out
Dislikes: Spiders, Bananas
Technology: Kindle
Couldn’t live without: Gareth, Noah, Jessie & of course my doggies Reggie & Kobe
Drink: Gin, Porn Star Martini’s and Water
Food: Camembert & Crusty Bread, Pasta – but likes most things
Advice: Don’t worry be happy
Chris has spent most of his working life in sales within the building products industry working his way up to Sales Director of Hanson Thermalite. Chris Joined Sharples Davies in 2014 as a freelance consultant mainly working with people and companies who he had built relationships with whilst working within the building products industry.
Outside of work Chris is married to Jacqui, has two children and is based in Wakefield. His passion in life is his beloved Liverpool FC and has been a season ticket holder since 1975.
Fun Facts about Chris:
Proposed to Jacqui in St Peter Square Rome – during the Popes Easter address.
Once appeared on Match of the Day – being escorted from the ground around the pitch (he tells us he was young at the time.)
Was threatened by a guard with a knife inside the Great Pyramid, thanks to his wife.
Conquered his fear of heights by flying a glider.
TV Show: Spartacus
Sport: Football
Film: Casablanca
Music: The Eagles
Likes: Travelling
Dislikes: People who don’t do what they say they will
Technology: None – can’t beat a good book
Couldn’t live without: Jacqui
Most like to meet: Bill Shankly
Drink: Red Wine
Food: Indian
Advice: Trust no-one, question everything
Jen joined Sharples Davies in 2014 as our Business Manager however progressed into her current role as Recruitment Consultant where she is responsible for looking after existing clients and prospecting for new business. Jen manages all marketing and social media aspects for the business and will usually be found at an exhibition or a networking event.
Whilst not working Jen is kept busy looking after her four boys Daniel (Husband) Jack-Lewis, Harry & Rory. She is a supporter of her childhood team Bolton Wanderers.
TV Show: EastEnders
Sport: Football
Film: Warrior (Anything Tom Hardy)
Music: Michael Jackson
Likes: Food
Dislikes: Bad manners
Technology: iPhone
Couldn’t live without: Family & Friends
Drink: Full Fat Coke
Food: Steak
Advice: Always expect the unexpected
John joined us in 2014 and has 27 years Builders Merchant experience as a director of his family business E&JW Lake and Regional Director of Buildbase. He is responsible for recruiting sales professionals for merchants, manufacturers and distributors.
John is married with three sons and lives in a 300 year old farmhouse in the Derbyshire Dales.
Fun Facts about John:
He has been watching Derby County since the early 1970’s.
When he was 14 he missed a year of school with a mystery illness.
John played drums in levellers – Guitarist Simon Friend’s first band.
He was top goal scorer for Bath University in the 1986-87 season
John worked with future football manager Steve Cotterill when he worked at Sharpe & Fisher Builders Merchant.
TV Show: The Last Leg
Sport: Football
Film: Apocalypse Now
Music: The doors, The Clash, R.E.M, The Smiths, David Bowie & Paul Weller.
Likes: Derby County FC
Dislikes: Liars
Technology: iPod
Couldn’t live without: Family
Most like to meet: Dynamo
Drink: Stella Artois & Draught Bass
Food: Mirch Masala Chicken
Advice: With every knockback you get and with every hurdle you pass, the rewards get greater.
I have worked in the Construction sector for as long as I can remember all of the time working for manufacturers, started in flooring, then selling windows and doors moved to Polypipe Terrain selling drainage later years at PP as Reginal Director and Public Sector Director, changed direction moved into Ventilation Cleaning and Legionella Control as Sales & Marketing Director.
Fun Facts about Chris:
While working in Malta also working for Air Malta, they held a flight up for me as I was late to cheered and booed when I got on board by 175 people.
Sport: F1
Film: Any of the Bond films
Music: Anything from the 60’s / 70’s
Likes: Playing Golf & Cycling
Dislikes: Being Late
Technology: I can get by
Drink: Red or White Wine and I like a good single malt whiskey
Food: Indian / Chinese
Advice: Just be yourself and be a good communicator
Graham joined the construction industry from University (Leeds) where he studied Economics. Initially joined Tarmac in a sales role then a marketing job before moving onto Redland which later became Lafarge Plasterboard where Graham held various sales roles ending as Sales Director before leaving to join CRH Springvale again as Sales Director.
Graham was then head hunted by the late great Jeff Hulme into Knauf Insulation where he stayed for 17yrs ending up as Sales Director for the merchant and distribution side.
Married to Jeannette for 36 years with 2 children Brad and Beth and a 4 year old grandson Oliver, who keeps him on his toes. Graham is involved in local politics and looking forward to the May local elections when as Independents he hopes to increase our seats further. Graham has always enjoyed working with people and especially encouraging and nurturing others.
TV show: Ted Lasso / Schitts Creek
Sport: Football, but will watch anything
Film: Wolf of Wall Street
Music: Anything especially Live
Likes: Holidays/time with family and friends / outdoors
Dislikes: Most Politicians
Technology: Necessary evil
Can’t live without: Family/friends
Like to meet: Bruce Springsteen
Drink: Bourbon
Food: Italian/ Greek
Advice: Live life to the full whilst you can it’s not a rehearsal.
Brogan joined Sharples Davies in April 2024 into a Marketing Executive role. She’s been in Marketing for 5 years, her main marketing experience has come from a hospitality background. Whilst being a crucial member of the team Brogan has progressed to Marketing Manager in February 2025.
Brogan is dog obsessed, her main obsession is her own little Jack Russell called Ralph. She also loves interior design, event planning & reading.
Brogan enjoys spending her time with her family, hiking or reading her ever growing book collection. She loves anything from gentle strolls to racing around many different theme parks to get the adrenaline pumping.
Fun Facts – Brogan has read over 350 books in the past 4 years. During Lockdown she learnt how to make face masks, she also rekindled her love of drawing and painting.
TV Shows- Schitts Creek, Friends, Stranger Things
Sport – Hiking (can you class that as a sport?)
Film – Halloween or Strangers are her top contenders but any horror film you put on she’ll love!
Music – Country is her current go to but she LOVES pop (especially a bit of Bieber!)
Likes – Reading, cuddling Ralph in front of the fire & SUNSHINE!
Dislikes – Spiders, Clowns and bad attitudes
Technology – Kindle & Airpods
Couldn’t live without – Coffee machine, books & Ralph
Most like to meet – Jordan Davis
Drink – Vodka Lime & Soda, Daiquiri, Coca Cola or Cream Soda
Food – Chocolate, Pizza & Cheese
Advice –Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
I have worked in the construction industry most of my life and enjoyed the challenges and opportunities around being a female leader in a male dominated industry. I love the buzz of doing deals either selling or buying and particularly have appreciate the experiences of working both in the UK and Europe meeting suppliers & customers across the Drywall, Insulation & Interiors markets. I have worked with some inspirational people and some fantastic leaders, many of which have overcome personal and professional challenges to succeed. Some of my greatest achievements have been to develop people & see them grow and evolve into senior roles within the Distribution & Manufacturing markets.
I have travelled with work extensively in Europe to develop product or commercial business opportunities – this has been fun and challenging but meeting people & building relationships remains a core part of doing a role.
I am predominantly a Distribution commercial specialist, however the last few years experience has been more around business turnaround in a manufacturing environment working to create a sustainable profitable business that provides security for the employees & their families – this combined with a fierce drive to overcome adversity and commercial challenges has extended my skills and understanding of leadership. Hopefully making me a better leader!
People deal with people and that has been shown in the last few years in the Building materials distribution & merchanting sectors – trust, integrity & relationships matter.
Fun Facts: I learned to drive when I was 12, I wanted to be a Film & TV make up artist, I love Hendos! (Henderson Relish – A Sheffield legendary relish)
Favourite TV shows: Brassic, Location & lots of Documentaries /Travel / Art/
Favourite Sport:- Shopping & Travel! – or more seriously Skiing, Tennis, Rugby & Football
Favourite Film: Jackie Brown or Finding Nemo
Favourite Genre of Music: Too many – R & B, Dance, 80s/90s, Indie/ Rock
What do you like: South of France, Architecture & Interiors, Nice people, kindness, my family, traveling, Art, Fashion &hunting in Charity Shops
What do you dislike: Hubris, Narcissism & general rudeness – also bad parking, poor manners & some Motorways!
What Technology do you like: Pretty standard stuff – Mobiles, I Pads, etc.
What couldn’t you live without: Nick & Noodle (My Cavapoo) – and a car with a map!
Who would you most like to meet: Rylan!
Favourite Drink: A nice White Burgundy wine
Favourite Food: Chicken! And Chocolate
What advice would you give someone:
Don’t worry about making mistakes, learn to adapt with change, be honest & keep your integrity, work with people you like & trust, learn to listen & understand, you cant do stuff alone – learn to share, be curious & build up information to support any decisions – keep interested in people and the culture.
Decide if you are more suited to a small or large operation private or corporate – there are some important differences , know the financial position and goals of the business in order to understand how your role will be impacted. Work balance is important but family is more important. Talking & listening are vital – be empathetic. Try to enjoy work – if not look for something else!
Olivia joined Sharples Davies in November 2024 into a Recruitment Administration and Resourcer role.
I have come from a customer service, retail and hospitality background. Through my previous jobs I have found a true passion to help people and provide excellent service to them.
I love travelling, I took a gap year after college travelling around Europe and America, visiting historical and cultural landmarks and learning as much as possible during these trips. I’m big on research – when I find something out, I like to research it to gain more knowledge and understanding. I have a cockapoo called Millie who is my favourite girl in the world!
Fun Facts – I am a keen reader – I have read over 180 books already this year and have a book collection exceeding 800 books.
TV Shows – S.W.A.T, Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, anything True Crime.
Sport – Ice Hockey – watching not playing 🙂
Film – The Breakfast Club (I love most of the 80s classics) or Scream (I’m a huge horror buff!)
Music – Probably pop or country, big Luke Combs, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA fan!
Likes – Reading, nights out or cosy nights in with the girls, and tattoos
Dislikes – Negativity, loud eaters and most book-to-movie adaptations
Technology – My iPhone, Kindle and Noise Cancelling Headphones
Couldn’t live without – My dog Millie, Books and Yorkshire Tea
Most like to meet – M.L. Rio, or Michelle Obama
Drink – Sav Blanc, Aperol Spritz, Sprite and Tea
Food – Pad Thai, Crepes and Popcorn
Advice – Never be afraid of rejection, the worst thing they can do is say no.