Midlands-based copper tube and fittings manufacturer Lawton Tubes has appointed Michael Brown as its new Board Chairman, marking the first leadership change in a decade. Brown will also serve as a Non-Executive Director, bringing over 15 years of industrial leadership experience from his roles at Dormole Group and as CEO of Galleon Fixings. He assumes the role in late November.
Brown succeeds Rolf Herold, who oversaw a decade of growth during which Lawton Tubes expanded sales to 42 countries, grew annual turnover to £230m, and built a 140-strong workforce across Coventry, Redditch, and Poole. The company also collected two prestigious awards for international trade, winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2019 and The King’s Award in 2024, with export sales now standing at £26m.
A strong track record and forward focus
Richard Thomas, Head of People and Culture at Lawton Tubes, described Brown’s appointment as “a real coup for us,” highlighting his extensive leadership experience and shared commitment to developing the next generation of talent in the construction industry. Lawton Tubes is preparing to open a £20m headquarters in late 2026 and diversify its product ranges, signalling an ambitious next chapter for the business.
Michael Brown said: “Lawton Tubes is thriving on multiple fronts – from expanding domestic and overseas markets to innovating new products – and I’m excited to help maximise growth in key sectors including heating and plumbing, air conditioning, medical, and industrial. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply my commercial leadership experience to a company with such strong foundations and values.”
Investing in people and industry
Brown’s appointment reflects Lawton Tubes’ long-standing ethos of creating employment opportunities and nurturing talent. He has a personal track record of championing initiatives to provide work opportunities for disadvantaged communities, including launching the Institute of Brilliant Ideas.
Thomas added: “Michael shares our passion for investing in people and developing careers across the construction and manufacturing sectors. We’d also like to thank Rolf Herold for his outstanding service over the past decade and look forward to building on his legacy.”
With strong leadership in place, a clear growth strategy, and a commitment to innovation and workforce development, Lawton Tubes is set to continue its trajectory as a leading supplier and manufacturer in both domestic and international markets.
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