Meet the Team
Since its conception in the 1970s, CLF Packaging has steadily grown to become one of the leading providers of bespoke packaging in the Midlands, and south east England with a team ready to meet your every need.
Dennis Lightning
Dennis Lightning is CLF Group Managing Director.
He has over 40 years experience in the Paper and Board industry, including maintaining a successful career at Spicers Stationery for 24 years.
Dennis joined CLF Packaging in June 1995 and was promoted to his present position in 1999. In 2000 he was instrumental in creating the successful MBO team and in 2002 a new and exciting era for CLF Packaging was set in motion. Dennis is very proud of how the team has performed since the MBO and remains focused on the continual growth and success of the company.
Deborah J George
Deborah J George is CLF Packaging Operations Director.
Working closely with the teams of Customer Care, Warehouse and Sales, she has an overall involvement with the day to day operation.
Deborah worked in transport operations for 7 years before moving into packaging sales where she gained a broad spectrum of knowledge in packaging and its related products. Deborah joined CLF Packaging in 1996 to concentrate on the corrugated sector. Part of the MBO team Deborah has a diploma in Neuro Linguistic Programming and a Certificate of Professional Competence in National Road Haulage. She has a passion for the business and the value of its employees combined with the service CLF Packaging provides to its customers.
Ron Cairns
Ron Cairns is CLF Packaging Purchasing Director.
He joined the company in 1986 after a 14 year successful purchasing career within Dekker Toys. Ron became a director at CLF Packaging in 1990 and in 2002 was part of the successful MBO team. Remaining involved in day to day procedures within the company Ron is highly motivated by the challenge of securing the best deals. He has effectively secured long term relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, providing CLF Packaging with a strong foundation in its supplier base. Ron has also worked on significant projects to upgrade and streamline the IT systems within the business.
Bob Lyon
Bob Lyon is CLF Packaging Sales and Technical Director.
He has a wealth of experience having worked in the corrugated industry for more than 25 years. Bob spent 10 years in sales and design with two of the largest corrugated manufacturers in the UK. Deciding a fresh challenge was needed Bob joined CLF Packaging in 1993 and was instrumental in building a highly successful sales portfolio for the company. Part of the MBO team in 2002 Bob has developed and put together an accomplished and successful sales team with customer focus at its core.
Jo Lungley FCCA
Jo Lungley is CLF Packaging Finance Director.
She joined the company in July 2003 as financial controller becoming a director in August 2004. Jo came to CLF Packaging from an accounting and audit practice background. For several years she specialised in corporate services and qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in 1999.
Jo has overall responsibility for the economic function of CLF’s group of companies. Along with her team she monitors and plans for sustained strength in the company’s financial future. Jo also encompasses an active role in the management of the company’s IT systems and human resources department.
Alison White
Allison White is CLF Packaging Purchasing Manager.
After 20 years in Hotels and Catering Allison decided she needed a new challenge. Allison joined the Customer Care Team in 2001 and in 2004 made the transition into Purchasing where she has forged a new career. Allison is continually keen to work on new projects and enjoys the challenge of sourcing innovative packaging products and modern suppliers.
Rik Taylor
Rik Taylor is CLF Packaging Area Sales Manager.
With a background in computer aided design within the corrugated industry Rik has over 20 years of experience and can offer efficient and cost effective packaging proposals. Rik’s understanding of packaging machinery and its capabilities linked with his skills in design was a strong foundation for his transition into sales in the mid 1990’s. He joined CLF Packaging in November 2006 and accepts and rises to fresh challenges every day, building solid and genuine relationships with his customers along the way.
Jon Blackbourn
Jon Blackbourn is CLF Packaging Area Sales Manager.
Employed by Cambridge University Press in 1989 as a school leaver, Jon completed a 3 year apprenticeship in Lithographic Print. After 18 successful years managing multicolour presses and producing a huge variety of printed work within CUP Jon made a huge decision to pursue a new career. He moved into medical service sales and was given an invaluable grounding in all aspects of selling. Jon joined CLF Packaging in May 2010 and has established a reputable position within the sales team. He makes the most of new experiences within every market sector the business trades with whilst developing lasting and trusting relationships with customers, which he believes, is the best part of the job.
Julie Watson, Annie Topham and Linda Slater
Julie, Annie and Linda are CLF Packaging’s Customer Care Team.
Managed by Linda, this long established and experienced team provide an effective and efficient service using a specialised computer based business system. CLF Packaging and its customers have the benefit of a team with excellent accumulated knowledge for customer needs and requirements combined with a multi-layered understanding of the company’s supplier base.
Warehouse and Drivers
Taking pride in their work and the presentation of the goods that reach customer premises, CLF Packaging’s dedicated Warehouse and Drivers Team is a fundamental link in the chain. With many years of knowledge and experience between them they make sure the final element of the service CLF Packaging provide is constant and unrivalled.
