Lavender marks retirement with handover to staff

The company, which has been a leader in Non Destructive Testing (NDT) for years, became an employee owned business in 2015, with all workers co-owners.

Lavender, until recently co-managing director, said: “We recognised that employee ownership was the only way that the people we built this great company with would be looked after properly when we, as a family, had finally stepped down.

“We desperately didn’t want the business to be sold to an unknown party, so I’m incredibly happy that I’m leaving the business in the most capable hands: its employees.”

Whilst Dave is the last remaining Lavender in the business, all of the team here are Lavender through and through and will work together to build on his legacy

Tim Armitt, managing director, Lavender International

Dave Lavender began his career in NDT in 1976 when his family founded JD Partnership with a focus on testing and training. Since then it has grown extensively, with headquarters in Penistone and at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sheffield, UK.

The firm now runs international programmes in a variety of countries including the USA, Greece, Canada and South Africa.

Managing director Tim Armitt, commented: “Dave’s departure from the business is a historical milestone for Lavender. It’s the end of an incredible era, but also the dawn of exciting new beginnings.

“Whilst Dave is the last remaining Lavender in the business, all of the team here are Lavender through and through and will work together to build on his legacy, growing the business and providing high-quality NDT training and apprenticeships to businesses and individuals worldwide.”