Paul McDonnell

Managing Director

Paul was appointed by the Board to help take the business to the next level and beyond,  joining the team in May 2016. Building on what was already a solid base, the company has grown strongly during this time, in both the UK and Export markets. We have developed our branding, increased our focus on the needs of our customers, expanded our product development activity and have intensified our marketing communication to end users, to raise awareness across the world.

Paul brings to the business a wealth of sales, marketing and general management experience from a range of sectors including consumer durables, automotive, anti-microbial technology and vending. He has lived for much of the last 20 years in Australia, Italy, Germany and Austria..so Wales represents quite a change!

After hours Paul does his best to ‘raise’ two teenage daughters. He has become an experienced taxi driver as a result...

Susan Edwards

Director

The business was started by Susan’s mum, Ruth and it is still very much a family business. She is very proud of what her mum achieved and of how the business continues to grow from strength to strength.

Susan and the wider business believes that our strongest asset as a company is our staff and we have been able to retain a strong and loyal work force who are committed to excellent customer service and producing the best quality products.

Ruth Lee Ltd is proud to represent Welsh and British manufacturing and currently, around 65% of all business is exported to countries all around the world. We can proudly say we have sold manikins to every continent on earth!

Susan feels very lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of Wales and must have the best commute to work of less than a mile!

Darren Griffiths

Operations Director

Darren joined the company in February 2020.

With over 23 years’ experience in the retail and dairy industry, Darren understands the importance of delivering great service, ensuring that customer expectations are always met; delivered through operational excellence.

Having experience across diverse operational roles, Darren brings skills and knowledge to the Ruth Lee team which will be invaluable as we continue to grow the business.

Away from work, Darren spends much of his time as a taxi driver for his four children, going for walks with his Sprocker Spaniel and when time allows, he enjoys a drive down to Barmouth with his family for a long walk along the beach.

Gaynor Evans

Despatch Manager

Gaynor joined the company in 1998 and during that time has worked in every single department within the company! This experience within the company means that Gaynor has a knowledge of the products like no other.

Gaynor has 20 years' experience in logistics and became Despatch Manager in 2011. She is responsible for ensuring that all orders are processed correctly and that all orders are despatched within the quoted timeframe. Gaynor will always endeavour to get the best price and service for your order that she can... She won't give the business to her own husband's haulage firm if she can get a better price elsewhere!

Gaynor enjoys walking and outdoor activities and visiting her Family…..in Scotland, South Wales and London - so we think she must enjoy travelling as well!

Stuart Cheetham

Innovation Manager

Stuart joined the company in 2011 to enable the company to move forward with its strategic plans and brought with him 10 years sales and digital marketing experience. Stuart was instrumental in the implementation of the company's new IT system and CRM package and regularly mans our stand at exhibitions across the country and visits customers to give advice and demonstrations.

Stuart firmly believes that face to face contact is the key to build strong relationships with customers, much in the way that Ruth would visit Fire Services to showcase the manikins, hence why Stuart can be found visiting customers up and down the country!

In March 2021, Stuart assumed responsibility for the strategic direction for Innovation within the business and is getting stuck into new product development in earnest. Expect to see even more exciting new developments from Ruth Lee in the future!

Outside of work Stuart is a keen archer and petrol head, but doesn’t get much time to indulge in either hobby. As a father of 6 children aged between 1 and 13, (yes, you read that correctly!) he spends most of his free time ferrying them from one activity to another or indulging in a spot of DIY!

Sarah Hampson

International Development Manager

Sarah joined Ruth Lee Ltd in January 2017 and provides 15 years of experience in marketing, branding and communications. After holding the role of Marketing and Communications Manager for several years here at Ruth Lee, in 2021 she took on a new role as International Development Manager. 

Whilst retaining overall responsibility for marketing and communications at Ruth Lee, as International Development Manager, Sarah has been tasked with developing key markets internationally, with a special focus on lifeguard and healthcare sectors. She will continue to work closely with our Distributors to make sure they are provided with everything they need to develop manikin sales in their markets. 

When not immersed in words and pictures for Ruth Lee, Sarah enjoys photography, hiking in the beautiful North Wales countryside and is also a keen rider. She owns a horse called Luna - although Sarah argues that really, it's the other way round and that she is the slave to an opinionated 'Diva'! 

Ian McCulloch

Business Development Manager

Ian joined the team at Ruth Lee in January 2018 and brings a wealth of product development, sales and marketing experience with him having spent over 11 years living and working in Europe in Germany, France and Sweden.

His initial priorities will be focused on product development, helping develop our export business, market analysis in terms of our new products and the health care sector, as well as strategy development. 

His previous experience encompasses consumer durables and automotive sectors and he is particularly proud of developing and launching a robotic vacuum cleaner business.

Away from work, Ian enjoys cycling, walking his dog, supporting Tottenham Hotspur and watching sport of all kinds…

Stephen Metcalfe

National Sales Manager

Steve joined Ruth Lee in October 2021 as National Sales Manager to help continue the company’s growth within the UK market.

Taking a step out of the food industry and into the rescue and training industry, Steve brings with him 8 years’ worth of experience and knowledge within regional sales to the Ruth Lee team.

Steve’s priorities will be meeting with customers from many different sectors to discuss their training needs and identifying how Ruth Lee products can significantly improve their training methods and techniques - ultimately leading to saving more lives. This is something he says he is ‘immensely proud to be a part of’.

Outside of work, Steve spends a lot of time taking his two sons to their football training sessions throughout the week and to matches at the weekends, which can sometimes be anything up to a 2-hour drive away! He also likes to go to the gym and play golf with his society when he can, and he also likes to strum a few tunes on the guitar.

Jacob Davies

Administration and Customer Service Specialist

Jacob joined Ruth Lee in November 2020 to assist the team in continuing to provide an excellent standard of service to all our customers.

Jacob will be responsible for processing orders and quote requests, handling a wide range of customer enquiries, and ensuring that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes. Jacob will be able to help you find the best manikin for your training needs and he will see your enquiry through from quotation to delivery.

Outside of work Jacob enjoys hiking and mountain biking. Jacob is also an avid baker, much to the delight of his colleagues!

Katie Angilletta

Digital and Brand Marketing Executive

Katie joined Ruth Lee Ltd in April 2021 following a strong period of growth for the company, expanding the marketing department to support Sarah with a focus on amplifying the brand’s digital presence.

Bringing with her over 7 years of experience in marketing, branding and design and a medical marketing background, Katie’s focus will be primarily on engaging with the rescue community through Ruth Lee’s social media channels, as well as offering further value to our customers through regular email communications and other digital content. 

Outside of work Katie spends her time travelling around the country and internationally, playing Roller Derby – a full-contact sport played on roller skates. Along with participating in the sport as a skater, she also helps coach teams nationally and internationally, including being selected to assist in coaching the England Men’s Roller Derby team for the 2020 World Cup.