We lead the way in the design and manufacture of paper products for catering in the UK
Key Staff
Andy Cunliffe
Managing Director
With a background in practical agriculture, Andy's journey in becoming Benders Managing Director has been diverse in experience. After attaining an MBA from Henley, Andy worked in the food industry in Russia and a number of emerging Eastern European Companies. He then joined Autobar in a Group role becoming increasingly involved in the creation of the European Food Service Business, Veriplast International. As Veriplast developed, Andy was promoted to European Operations Director and then UK Managing Director with additional responsibilities for the Packaging Division. After ten years and involvement in the sale of Autobar to Charterhouse, which included managing the subsequent re-structuring, Andy left to join Benders.
Married with three children, Andy's sporting interests belie his 46 years. Having represented Sussex junior teams at both cricket and rugby, he now spends the summer windsurfing, kitesurfing and waterskiing, whilst snowboarding during the winter.
David Lawlor
Sales & Marketing Director
David's early career began within accountancy, working in practice then onto manufacturing within the print industry and finally wholesale distribution. In this latter role, David completed an MBA at Middlesex whilst taking additional responsibilities in sales and marketing. He moved to Ravenhead / Durobor a glass manufacturing group,as Sales and Marketing Director in the early 90's developing the product portfolio across different sectors. In 2000 David moved to the Autobar Group as European Business Development Director in the distribution division. Over the next five years the role evolved to cover marketing and the co-ordination of Pan-European agreements. David joined Benders in 2006 as Sales and Marketing Director.
David is married with three children. His major interest is football; after a long playing career; he is currently involved in football development. He also enjoys playing golf and travel.
Michelle Woodward
Finance Director
Michelle started her career in accountancy practice, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1996. Moving from the North East to the Isle of Man, Michelle spent a short period in Moore Stephens as Audit Manager focusing primarily on Financial Services. On relocating back to the North East she joined the Autobar Group's UK based company Mono Containers Ltd, a food cup and packaging manufacturer, looking after the Veriplast International and Autobar Packaging divisions as Finance Director for six years. This included involvement in the sale of Mono Containers Ltd as part of the sale of the Autobar Group to Charterhouse. Michelle has also worked as a Group Finance Director in Builders Metal Work Manufacturing and in Print Manufacturing before joining Benders in 2006.
Married with two children, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors and all forms of sport.