About Highland

The Highland Group now employs in excess of 100 people, the majority of whom work in our factories carrying out the galvanizing and powder coating processes and without whose hard work and dedication the business could not have prospered as it has done over many years.

Equally, our experienced support staff with an unrivalled level of commitment towards providing first class customer service, in all respects, have played a vital role in this success.

The members of our Board, who combined have over 125 years of service with the Group, also bring a huge amount of experience and qualified expertise to ensure that the best service is provided and the highest standards are maintained.

Our Board of Directors

Gordon Bulloch – Chairman

Gordon joined Highland in 2008 after retiring from a career as a professional rugby player. After working in all facets of the business and gaining an MBA from Strathclyde University in 2015 he became Chairman of the Highland Group in January 2016.

He oversees the strategy and direction of the Group with the drive and determination you would expect from someone who has played rugby and captained at the highest level, earning 75 caps for Scotland and touring with the British and Irish Lions.

Gordon still likes to keep fit and in his spare time he enjoys cycling, skiing and hill running.

gordon.bulloch@higalv.co.uk

John Macintosh – Managing Director

John joined the Cumbernauld production team in 2006 as a graduate management trainee.

Having successfully spent time in several positions within the galvanizing and powder coating divisions, John was appointed Production Director for Cumbernauld in 2014, and in 2015 successfully completed an MBA at Strathclyde University.

Thereafter, John progressed to Group Operations Director then, throughout 2023, was Deputy Managing Director.  From 01 January 2024, he has assumed the Managing Director role.

John enjoys golf and going out for an occasional run but in truth spends most of his time running around after his young daughter!

john.macintosh@higalv.co.uk

Robin Steel – Group Finance Director 

Originally from Glasgow and a Chartered Accountant to trade Robin had very wide financial and general management experience in both industrial and service sectors before moving North and joining Highland in 2002.

He became Managing Director of the Group in 2017 having previously spent 15 years in the role of Finance Director.

Robin’s “bean-counting” background means he has a penchant for accuracy and precision, a trait he wishes he could take onto the golf course! In his spare time, apart from golf, he also enjoys watching sport and travelling, especially to Italy, with his wife, Margaret.

Robin has now reduced his working time in the business and as from 01 January 2024 has stepped down from the Managing Director role but retains the responsibility for Finance & HR and will support John as he takes on board his new responsibilities as above.

robin.steel@higalv.co.uk

Robert Sheils – Group Sales & Business Development Director

Bob joined the company in 1987 after studying Engineering at Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen.

He is the longest serving of all the current Directors and is vastly experienced in all aspects of the business having worked predominantly in production and now applying his expertise and wide knowledge of the market and customer base to Sales and Business Development.

Bob is a low handicap golfer and an avid cyclist. Recently married to Jackie, who he unusually proposed to at the top of Alpe D’Huez in the French Alps after successfully cycling up it!

robert.sheils@higalv.co.uk

Linda Reed – Group Customer Services Director

Linda has been with the Highland group since 1993, having originally joined our then subsidiary Highland Electroplaters soon after completing a chemistry degree.

In 2002 she joined the management team in Cumbernauld, gained a thorough knowledge of all aspects of production and operations and was appointed Customer Services Director.

Linda enhanced her qualifications with the successful completion, in 2009, of an MBA from Glasgow Caledonian University and now also has responsibility for IT and Technical projects across the Group.

In her spare time, having recently bought a camper van, Linda enjoys nothing more than travelling around the country with her husband, Paul.

linda.reed@higalv.co.uk

Iain Boyle – Environmental & Asset Management Director

Originally from Uist in the Western Isles Iain joined Highland in 2002 having graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Paisley.

Iain has worked in all aspects of the operational side of the business, and has particular experience and expertise in the Quality and Health & Safety areas having successfully completed the NEBOSH Diploma in 2013.

Iain continues to have Board overview of Health & Safety across the Group but with the substantially increased focus on the environment and sustainability he has taken on the role of Environmental & Asset Management Director.

Very much an outdoor person, in his spare time Iain enjoys cycling, gardening and in particular hillwalking with his wife Adele.

iain.boyle@higalv.co.uk

Barry Brown – Group Operations Director

Barry was appointed to the Board on 01 May 2023.

Barry joined the business in May 2006 and has successfully worked his way through the Cumbernauld galvanizing and powder coating processes, from operator level, through to supervision and line management and now has responsibility for Operations across both the Cumbernauld and Elgin sites.

Barry attended both College and University in his own time, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Studies in 2017, as well as holding a NEBOSH General Certificate.

Barry enjoys football and golf, as well as spending time with his wife and two kids.

barry.brown@higalv.co.uk