CEO

Nicolas Pitrat

Nicolas Pitrat joined BRUSH Group as Finance Director in 2019 and was appointed CEO in January 2023.

Nicolas’ career includes positions at Ernst & Young, Johnson Matthey and GE. During his 13 years with GE, he held a number of finance positions, including Finance Integration Manager and Commercial Finance Leader for the Subsea business, based in France, Belgium and the UK. As European Finance Director for the Clean Air division of Johnson Matthey, Nicolas oversaw five manufacturing sites and two R&D centres.

Nicolas offers extensive multinational experience, and holds a degree from ESSEC business school in France.

He is based in the UK and has both French and UK citizenship.

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Günter Halfar

Günter Halfar was appointed Chief Technology Officer for BRUSH Group in September 2018.

With extensive experience within research & development as well as organisational and project management, Günter leads the translation and delivery of innovative, integrated solutions across the business. Tasked with delivering engineering excellence, Günter also applies his expertise to drive quality across business process and service applications.

Prior to joining BRUSH, Günter held various senior technology roles within Siemens, 3M and GE, including as Country Technical Director and Senior Innovation Leader.

Günter has a master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University and holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg.

Based in the Czech Republic, Günter is a German citizen.

Chief STRATEGY & SUSTAINABILITY OfficeR

Lars Hennecke

Joining BRUSH Group in 2021 as a member of the executive team, Lars was appointed into the role of Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer in July 2021.

Focusing on strategic business development and growth, Lars also uses his passion for sustainable innovation to drive forward the business’ sustainability ambitions; helping to further support customers on the road to net zero.

With extensive experience within the power generation, oil & gas, renewable, and energy management industries, Lars has previously held senior roles at GE and Schneider Electric, and more recently supported a variety of businesses through the delivery of independent consultancy services.

GROUP GENERAL COUNSEL AND COMPANY SECRETARY

Ben Hewitson

Ben joined BRUSH as Group General Counsel in August 2013.

He was appointed as Company Secretary in August 2015 and became part of the BRUSH Executive Team in January 2016.

Prior to joining BRUSH, Ben spent five years at LINPAC Group, a global packaging business, as Senior Legal Counsel. Ben trained and practised as a corporate lawyer spending eight years in private practice with Eversheds, Pinsent Masons and Gateley Plc.

Ben went to Nottingham Law School.

GROUP HR DIRECTOR

Christian Lordereau

Christian Lordereau was appointed Group Human Resources Director in January 2018.

Prior to joining BRUSH, Christian worked twelve years for Crown Packaging where he held several senior HR positions including, European Industrial Relations Director and Specialty Packaging Europe, based in France and Switzerland. He most recently worked for Esterline (Aerospace & Defence) as VP HR for sensors and systems, covering 25 sites in America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Christian trained as a lawyer at Paris University of Pantheon-Assas.

He is based in the UK and is a French and British citizen.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Stephanie Woodmass

Stephanie joined BRUSH as Group Financial Controller in 2020 and was appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer in February 2023.

Prior to joining BRUSH, she held controllership and financial planning/analysis roles within both Baker Hughes and Pfizer. Her early career was spent at Safeway and within business processes at PwC.

CIMA qualified, Stephanie also holds an Accounting & Mathematics degree from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is based in the UK.

CHIEF Operating OFFICER

Kate Davies

Kate Davies was appointed Chief Operating Officer in March 2023, having previously held the role of COO at telecommunications and asset security company, Optilan. During her career, Kate has held senior roles at Rolls Royce and General Electric and has also worked for E.ON and Alstom.

With extensive operational experience, during her career, Kate has led the delivery of over £1bn of projects, predominantly across Europe and the Middle East in power generation, rail, oil & gas, and telecoms. An experienced leader, she is passionate about creating an environment where colleagues can develop, and performance can thrive.

Kate has a First Class BA in Management from the University of Hull and a MSc in Project Management from the University of Manchester and is based at BRUSH Group head office.

CHIEF Commercial OFFICER

Marco van Schaik

Joining BRUSH Group in 2014 as Service Sales Director for the Eurasia region, Marco was promoted to the Executive Board as Executive Sales Director (Power Generation), in 2017.

In his role leading the Power Generation sales team, Marco helped guide the division through its sale to Baker Hughes in 2022. Following successful integration, Marco rejoined BRUSH Group in August 2023, as Chief Commercial Officer.

Applying his keen strategic commercial awareness and extensive experience in leading successful sales teams, Marco’s remit includes focusing on sales growth and business development. He also supports the integration of several acquired businesses into the BRUSH Group portfolio.

During his career, Marco has held a number of commercial leadership roles, including for Elliott Turbomachinery, Turbomach, MWM and Thomassen International.

Marco studied Operational Technologie and Process Control & Automation in the Netherlands, has an MBA and is Six Sigma/Lean Black Belt certified.

Based in Zurich, Switzerland, he has dual citizenship (Dutch and Swiss).