Gerard Dibb
Managing Director of Emballator UK Ltd, Gerard
Dibb passed his TEC, Higher National, NEBSS and
DMS at Bradford College.
Gerard began his career as an apprentice
worsted spinning supervisor at Courtaulds’
Westcroft Mills, attending College one day
per week to gain his Textile Education Council
(TEC) Certificate.
“I first attended Bradford College after
leaving school in 1979. They say that you
always remember the good teachers you had
at school, but I will always remember the
lecturers at Bradford College. I particularly
recall Malcolm Trickett, a textile lecturer who
pulled me to one side after a modest set of
results from my first 6 weekly phase tests. He
told me that I wasn’t at school now and that
he wasn’t going to chase me to work hard
and achieve my potential, but if I didn’t work
hard my employer may not want me and
what I achieved at College and work in the
next few years would go a long way to what
I would achieve in life. I took note and merits
and distinctions followed.”
In 1984 Gerard won the Worshipful Company
of Woolmen’s prize awarded to the best part-time
student at Bradford & Ilkley Community
College. Having completed his 5 year
apprenticeship he was promoted and later
took a management trainee position at Smith
Bulmer. He then took a manager’s post at
Patons’ Black Rock Mill in charge of more than
80 people working 3 shifts and then became
manager of George Inghams.
Gerard is now Managing Director of
Emballator UK Ltd.
“I completed my TEC, Higher National, NEBSS
and DMS at Bradford College and worked my
way from apprentice supervisor to Supervisor,
various levels of management to Director
and finally Managing Director of a successful
manufacturing company based in Bradford. I
will always be grateful to the Bradford College
for the education they gave me but also for
the wise words of advice to a 16 year old.”
Photograph supplied by Gerard Dibb