Meet the team

Chris Lord - Founder/CEO

Chris Lord began his career in plastics and manufacturing more than 40 years ago and has since founded and built two highly successful businesses, including Bartuf.  A vocal advocate for UK manufacturing and proud of his Yorkshire roots, Chris still plays a very active role in the business that he started 15 years ago. Since then he has used his entrepreneurial skills to challenge the market place and turn Bartuf into an industry leader, while building and maintaining strong client relationships with huge high street brands.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s Chris was one of the UK's leading rally car drivers and was crowned British national group A champion while driving for Vauxhall in 1976. Today he still retains an interest in motorsports but from the more comfortable seat of a Harley Davidson. 

Joanna Lord - Director

Joanna is a designer who qualified at Jacob Kramer College in Leeds and is also the other half of the husband and wife team that owns Bartuf. After marrying in 1985, Chris and Joanna founded Bartuf in 1995. They have two daughters at university - one training to be a barrister, the other a nurse.

Away from the business Joanna enjoys both the social and competitive sides of golf, which she took up ten years ago. She is also a keen runner - to compensate for her love of food - She has completed the Great North Run twice, and aims to do it again with both daughters in 2011.

Steve Davenport - Managing Director Bartuf Systems Ltd / Director Bartuf Graphics

Steve has worked in retail for most of his career, spending 23 years in senior roles with WH Smith, before joining Bartuf  11 years ago, where he is responsible for the strategic development and direction of the business. He keeps everyone within the company focused on the exceptional service and quality that Bartuf is renowned for and ensures that staff remain motivated and happy.

Away from the office Steve is a real foodie, and as a former chef he loves to rustle up tasty treats for friends and family. After taking up golf four years ago Steve thinks he left it too late to be any good but still enjoys the walk around the course and hiking in the Dales with his wife.

Andrew Bowman - Operations Director

Andrew spent several years working in manufacturing and operational management in a number of industries, such as cement, paper, board and FMCG packaging, before becoming part of the Bartuf team 11 years ago. He now oversees all manufacturing and materials control within the business, as well as devising product pricing strategy and controlling costs to help deliver a profitable operation.

While Andrew may appear to be a quiet family man he actually spends much of his free time playing the drums for both a Wishbone Ash tribute band and a Rock N Roll function band - though not at the same time.

Dominic Brown - Financial Director

Dominic joined Bartuf shortly after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2000. After several years as company accountant then group accountant he was invited to join the board earlier this year.

West-Yorkshire born and bred, Dominic is a keen runner and plans to run a marathon each spring to give himself a winter focus and help to shift the post-Christmas pounds. He is due to complete his 12th marathon this year, having previously competed in Zurich, London and New York, recording a personal best of three hours 11 minutes. Dominic also enjoys golf, watching rugby, skiing when possible and spending time on ‘Uncle duties’ to his four nephews and nieces.