The new owners, former sales and marketing director, Gary Potts and operations director, Derek Payne, become joint managing directors, responsible for sales and marketing, and operations, respectively. Gary Potts (41) has 19 years experience in sales and marketing roles.
Gary joined Outreach in 1997 as a sales engineer, becoming sales and marketing director five years ago. Derek Payne (40) joined Outreach in 1995 and, after a time in technical services, he took over responsibility for the control and development of products for the oil and gas industry. After a further time as production manager, Derek became Operations Director during 2001.
Former chairman and managing director, Wilson Paton said, “When Outreach was formed in 1990, my hope was that, at the right time, the business might appeal sufficiently to younger directors that they would want to own it. Both Charles Johnston and I are delighted that Gary Potts and Derek Payne have decided to buy the company at this time. I believe that the time is right. It is important that our employees can look forward with confidence to a bright future under the leadership of young, capable and highly motivated management.”
