The Team
Our strength lies in our people — a multidisciplinary team delivering high-reliability engineering for defence and complex projects.
Structured for collaboration, built for delivery, and focused on getting it right first time.
Mike Knight
Operations Director
Mike is Operations Director, with a career spanning automotive and high-integrity engineering. Apprentice trained as a tool maker, he progressed into quality and new product introduction at Ford Motor Company, later becoming Technical Manager for under-bonnet plastics. He then spent 17 years at Rolls-Royce across Aerospace and Submarines, building expertise in complex, safety-critical environments. Mike holds a BEng, MEng and PhD. Outside of work, Mike is a proud father of two daughters and a huge Welsh rugby fan. He loves being back home in Wales, walking his dog on the beach or up a mountain.
Jugraj Singh
Operations Lead
Jug brings strong hands-on engineering experience to Brown and Holmes, with a Level 2 & 3 apprenticeship in engineering and an HNC Level 4 in Manufacturing Engineering. IPC certified to IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-620, he also has CAD knowledge and has been with B&H since 2018. Starting in Design and moving into the defence side of the business, Jug now leads shopfloor builds as Operations Lead for B&H Derby. A true people person and team player, Jug is known for his big personality and positive attitude. Outside of work, he enjoys watching football (COYG), spending time with his partner, and socialising with family and friends.
Chantelle Bradley
PCB Manufacturing Lead
Chantelle brings over 15 years of experience in the electronics industry and is a qualified IPC Specialist in IPC-A-610 and J-STD, as well as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) in IPC 7711/7721. She is passionate about quality, continuous learning, and supporting others to build confidence in their skills. Outside of work, Chantelle is a proud mum of three and enjoys spending her spare time making memories with her family.
Matt Schofield
Business Development Manager
Matt is the Business Development Manager at Brown & Holmes, bringing over 12 years of experience in high-end luxury sales. With a strong background in relationship building and commercial strategy, Matt focuses on developing new opportunities and supporting clients across defence and complex engineering sectors. He is passionate about connecting organisations and ensuring customers understand the full capability and value Brown & Holmes (Derby) can deliver. Outside of work, Matt is a lifelong supporter of Peterborough United. He’s also a big motorsport fan and enjoys training in the gym, hiking, and spending time outdoors – ideally with a good pub waiting at the end.
Richard Baker
Project & Design Engineer
Richard began his career at Brown and Holmes (Tamworth) after graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Starting in the Design department, he quickly developed a strong technical foundation before transitioning into the defence-focused side of the business in 2023. Now based at Brown & Holmes Derby as a Design & Project Engineer, Richard leads a team of electrical and mechanical engineers, delivering both standard production projects and innovative research and development programmes. His role combines technical expertise with project leadership, ensuring solutions are delivered efficiently and to the highest standards. Outside of work, Richard enjoys watching rugby, snowboarding, gaming, and taking on DIY projects – most of which are successfully completed. He also values spending quality time with his partner, family, and friends.
Ashley Fielding
Quality Lead
Ash is the Quality Lead for Brown and Holmes Derby and brings a wide range of hands-on experience across the business. The son of a former Naval Officer and following in his grandfather’s engineering footsteps, Ash has developed his career through multiple roles including apprentice, CNC programmer and machinist, project engineer, and design engineer using Autodesk Fusion/Inventor and Siemens NX. He is also an IPC specialist in IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-620, and is currently studying for his HNC in Electrical Design. Outside of work, Ash is a self-confessed nerd and gamer, with more hobbies than could possibly fit into one bio.
Carl Robinson
Senior Electrical Fitter
Carl has over 30 years of experience across domestic, commercial, industrial, and defence electronics, bringing a huge depth of knowledge to the Brown & Holmes team. Skilled in panel wiring, box build, and harness build, Carl also has a strong understanding of fibre optics. He holds his 18th Edition qualification and is IPC certified to IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620, and J-STD-001, ensuring work is completed to the highest standards. Nottingham born and bred (and a proud Forest supporter), Carl enjoys travelling the world, attending music festivals and gigs, and watching World Superbikes.
Ellouise Knight
Electrical & Electronics Design Engineer
Ellouise is an Electrical and Electronic Design Engineer with a strong interest in hardware design and embedded C/C++ programming. She studied and lived in Wales before relocating to Derby to further develop her career within the engineering sector. With a passion for problem-solving and system design, Ellouise plays an important role in delivering robust and reliable electrical solutions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, particularly back in Wales, and spending time with her two cats.
Kenny Haywood
Electrical Lead
Kenny is a highly experienced wireman with over 30 years in his trade and has been part of the Brown & Holmes Derby team for the past year. He recently refreshed his 18th Edition qualification, along with IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-620, helping to ensure high standards across our electrical build and assembly work. With decades of hands-on experience, Kenny brings reliability, skill, and attention to detail to every project. Outside of work, Kenny is a proud father of five grown-up children and lives with his partner, three cats, and a dog. He’s a big sports fan and enjoys everything from football and cricket to boxing and the horses.
Russell Brandy
Senior Harness Assembler
Russ brings over six years of experience as a harness builder, producing detailed harnesses to precise drawing specifications. He has also spent three years working as a Quality Assurance Technician, giving him a strong understanding of standards and compliance. Russ is IPC certified to IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, and J-STD-001, including the Space Addendum, ensuring work is completed to high-reliability standards. A proud father of three and grandfather of three, Russ enjoys hiking, football, and spending time with his family – who are very much his world.
Jugvir Singh
Mechanical Design Engineer
JJ is a Mechanical Design Engineer at Brown & Holmes Derby, bringing technical expertise and a massive bundle of energy to the team. With a Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering, alongside an HNC Level 4 in Manufacturing Engineering, he has built a strong practical and academic foundation that supports the design and development of innovative engineering solutions across a range of projects. Known for his positive attitude and hands-on approach, JJ combines strong attention to detail with high energy and a collaborative mindset to help deliver practical, effective outcomes. Outside of work, he channels his creativity into DJing and runs his own photobooth business – proving he’s just as comfortable behind the decks as he is behind a CAD screen.
Zita Gabruseva
Electrical Fitter
NVQ Level 2 qualified in Panel Wiring and certified to IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards, she brings strong hands-on expertise in panel wiring and harness assembly, with experience delivering high-quality, compliant builds within the rail sector. She began her career at Brown & Holmes as an Electrical Fitter, building a solid foundation in electrical installation, precision workmanship, and standards-led assembly. Now a valued member of the PCB team, she continues to apply her technical knowledge and attention to detail to every project. Outside of work, she’s a proud mum and enjoys crafts, creating her own skincare products, painting, and experimenting with food. She also loves the outdoors – nature walks, hiking, and stargazing – alongside martial arts, travelling, and a passion for motorbikes and performance cars.
Lewis Brandy
Apprentice PCB Operator
Lewis is our apprentice and newest member of the team, starting his career in engineering straight from school. He’s currently working towards becoming a qualified electrical engineer, building hands-on experience across the business while developing his technical knowledge. Outside of work, Lewis is a proud Liverpool supporter, enjoys hiking, and has a competitive streak when it comes to e-karting. He brings enthusiasm, drive, and a real hunger to learn to the team.
Andra Vitane
Technical Administrator