Our People
Meet some of our people here at Tensar, and read about their journey.
Visit the Open Positions section and start your journey with us today!
Craig Dewhurst
UK Plant Manager
Craig Dewhurst
UK Plant ManagerWhy did you pick Tensar?
As a school leaver I had the choice of a few local firms, Royal Ordnance, British Aerospace, Hanson Cement. I was interviewed as the company was Netlon, but I was to be employeed at the Tensar site. When I went for the first interview I saw the Marlin on the wall of the reception at Kelly Street that apprently Dr Mercer had caught whilst fishing with Salvador Dali and I thought this would be an interesting ride! I was given a tour of Tensar by Ian Robinson and he was very positive about Tensar and the product was new and interesting. At the time it felt like Netlon/Tensar was a more interesting prospect than the other options that I had as geogrids were relatively new at this stage - the other options felt quite old a staid. Also on offer was about £5 more a week than the others which in 1989 to a 16 year old was a big thing!
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
Every day brings a new challenge - we have always seemed to have a big project around the corner, the company doesn't sit still and continues to develop.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
I've seen many projects come to fruition at Tensar in my time but one project that I was heavily involved in was the start up of the Russian plant that gave us many highs and quite a few lows but overall was a wonderful experience working with some great teams and team members and spending time away in a different culture that both fascinated and frustrated. I'm still hoping there are quite a few more highlights yet to come.
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Chaido Doulala-Rigby (Yuli)
Chief Civil Engineer & Business Development
Chaido Doulala-Rigby (Yuli)
Chief Civil Engineer & Business DevelopmentWhy did you pick Tensar?
My previous work experience, which happened to mainly be in Hong Kong soon after my graduation and before I joined Tensar, was predominately on slope stability. With Tensar being the leader in reinforced soil slope solutions, my ‘compatibility’ with the role recruited was the initial attraction to make me apply for the job, that was published in the New Civil Engineer magazine, which is still the official publication of the Institution of Civil Engineers, of which I have been a member since 2004. The reason that I decided to accept Tensar’s offer, however, was the people and the family-orientated, caring, proud and belonging atmosphere I was welcomed in!
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
I enjoy many things about working for Tensar. First of all, I love the fact that I work for a company that has sustainability ingrained in our very DNA and strives to provide low-carbon solutions in every project we do, helping to tackle climate emergency, and positively contributing towards our planet’s race to net zero. I enjoy the feeling of being part of Tensar’s global family that I can reach out and connect anytime I need support and vice versa, I love the fact that my colleagues and our Partners from all around the globe, both in EH and WH, regularly reach out to me for support and advice. I also love the fact that, with Tensar’s support and trust, I have become a recognised Tensar Technical Ambassador within the global Geotechnical and Geosynthetics arena and I am very proud to be known as ‘Madame Tensar’! Finally, also with Tensar’s support, I love the fact that I can ‘use’ my international civil engineering ambassadorial status to role model and inspire young generations to follow a career in Civil Engineering through my passionate involvement with STEM.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
My best moment in Tensar, so far, was when Tensar put the trust on me to lead the design team that successfully delivered Tensar’s tallest reinforced soil walls in Fujairah to Dubai Freeway back in 2008-2010, which, at 60m cumulative tiered height, are also amongst the world’s tallest reinforced soil structures to have ever been constructed. A project that earned me the position of Chief Civil Engineer, which is the proudest highlight of my career with Tensar.
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Paul Stowell
Testing & Development Engineer
Paul Stowell
Testing & Development EngineerWhy did you pick Tensar?
I chose Tensar because I wanted a career where I could utilise and better my skills and be part of a successful company.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
I enjoy the challenge which my role provides, working on new and interesting developments/projects and watching them develop into (or sometimes not at all!) marketable products.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
I have been given the opportunity to do my masters (MPhil) by carrying out a research degree on our Tensar TriAx product. I've been given the responsibility to travel to our China manufacturing plant and provide training to their employees.
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Helen Mihill
Internal Sales
Helen Mihill
Internal SalesWhy did you pick Tensar?
Tensar is a longstanding company within Blackburn and has a great reputation as a local employer. It is an exciting role and allowed me to build upon the experience I have gained from my previous companies.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
It's a fantastic place to work. For me the people really make it and it's a great atmosphere/working environment. I was made to feel welcome as soon as I joined.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
Working as part of a really close team has been my highlight and means I enjoy coming to work everyday!
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Anna Morton
Financial Controller
Anna Morton
Financial ControllerWhy did you pick Tensar?
I was excited to come to Tensar as Finance manager to cover a maternity leave for 6 months with the company being local to me. I stayed to take on a permanent role because the company’s global footprint allows me to have oversight of all of our Eastern Hemisphere Finance functions. My role is always varied and interesting, I am constantly learning and challenged in the role. I get to talk to people in lots of different countries and the Tensar family is great to be part of.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
I like coming to work because it is always different and there is always something new to learn, but also the people are friendly and welcoming and whilst we are busy we can still find time to have a laugh to help the day along.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
Whilst I have been at Tensar, they have sponsored me to be part of a management learning and development course which culminated in a Management institute qualification
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Ellie Wallis
HR Advisor
Ellie Wallis
HR AdvisorWhy did you pick Tensar?
I chose to work at Tensar over other companies because I was welcomed into the workplace with open arms from the very beginning of my first interview. Alongside attractive career prospects and employee benefits, the welcoming vibe radiating from every team was enough to convince me that Tensar was the place I wanted to work. I knew that I wanted to be part of such a supportive company.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
The thing I enjoy most about working at Tensar is the collaborative environment. Every team is working together, sharing the same vision and dedicated to working hard. We are encouraged to have a voice and use it to help one another; everyone is helpful and devoted to ensuring that we all achieve the best we can. This makes Tensar a really jubilant place to work.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
Some of the best moments at Tensar are spent at your desk, surrounded by your team, laughing and supporting one another to be the best you can be.
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Steven Howard
Quality and Process Engineering Manager
Steven Howard
Quality and Process Engineering ManagerWhy did you pick Tensar?
Tensar was a local company to me and I knew people who worked for the organisation who had positive things to say about working for Tensar.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
One of the most enjoyable elements of working for Tensar is working with the people within our team. It is a very capable and strong team that can overcome any problem when they put their minds to it. Change has been ever present working for Tensar so the job is kept interesting as a consequence with a variety of different work.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
Being given the opportunities to develop myself and progress within the business. Also, to have been afforded the opportunities to do some travelling (UK, Germany, Russia) and getting out to meet other people within the geosynthetics industry over the years.
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James Kearsley
Senior Digital Marketing Specialist
James Kearsley
Senior Digital Marketing SpecialistWhy did you pick Tensar?
Tensar looked like a really exciting place to work and it’s global presence was a big draw for me. Having not known what geosynthetics were before joining Tensar, I’ve found it an interesting industry to be involved in, especially working for a company that is constantly looking to innovate and grow.
What do you enjoy about working at Tensar?
It’s a great working environment where you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and really make an impact. No day is the same and you work on some really exciting projects that make a difference.
Best moment/highlights at Tensar?
Launching my first marketing campaign was a very proud moment for me. After all the hard work and time me and the team put into the project, it was great to see the positive results that followed.
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