Suprafilt names next managing director

Suprafilt has announced its next managing director – who joined the business to help with filing more than 20 years ago and never left.

Operations director Hannah Nolan has been named as managing director designate, a role that will see her gradually lead the business into its next chapter.

She will work alongside current managing directors Graeme Fielden and Jonathan Lord as the transition takes place over the next few years.

 Hannah joined Suprafilt, based in Whitewell Bottom, Rossendale, as a graduate in 2004, initially working in the finance department in a temporary position.

But the opportunities she was given to grow and progress within the manufacturing business gave her a passion for the water industry.

 The business, which was acquired by Essex-headquartered Aerzen Machines Ltd in 2024, designs, manufactures and installs aeration systems for the wastewater treatment sector.

She said: “Graeme and Jonathan have always been very supportive of my progression at Suprafilt and given me opportunities to develop right the way through my career. I’ll be learning more from them over the coming year, getting more involved in the strategic direction of the business and making more decisions as we look to grow the business. I’m really excited about the role – it’s been on my radar for a while – and everyone else in the business has been really supportive.”

 Since joining the business, Hannah has worked in most areas of the business, including finance, production, contract management, health, safety, environmental and quality (HSEQ) and sales, giving her solid knowledge of the business, which employs 28 people.

She said: “I like the fact that everyone understands the importance of their role in Suprafilt’s success. We all work closely, we invest in staff development and our retention is excellent. I’m looking forward to building on the already strong relationships we have in the UK and collaborating more within the Aerzen Group in Europe.”

Highlights from her career so far include the relocation of the business from Rochdale to Rossendale, allowing Suprafilt to expand, and becoming part of the wider Aerzen Group. Suprafilt works on some of the biggest wastewater treatment sites in Europe as well as supplying aeration systems to niche business, including breweries, dairies and abattoirs.

Hannah added: “I love going on site to watch our product being installed and the project come to life. I used to be the only woman on a site going back 20 years but now you can see more women coming into the water industry via engineering apprenticeships, which is fantastic.” 

Graeme said he was delighted to be handing over the reins to Hannah.

He said: “One of the best parts of running a business is watching, helping and encouraging our young recruits develop and Hannah is a great example of someone who has risen to the top, meeting all the challenges set for her and taking on and thriving on more responsibility.

 "Her knowledge in all aspects of our business and her level-headed approach make her the perfect person to take the company forward when me and Jonathan decide to hang up our hats, although we hope this will be later rather than sooner.”