Our People

Rob Laugharne

Rob Laugharne

Managing Director

Rob joined Hills Numberplates in 2017, having assisted with its recent domestic and global acquisitions within the manufacturing industry whilst he was a corporate partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP. Rob was appointed Managing Director as of 1st July 2019.

The move completed an interesting career circle that has seen Rob start at his local Halfords (making number plates!), enjoy a year away from working at a law firm in Sydney, Australia, settle into the world of corporate law in Birmingham before “returning” to making number plates (albeit indirectly!).

These days Rob leaves most of the travelling to others and instead enjoys watching the odd game of rugby when he can.

Julian Caine

Julian Caine

Technical Director

In 1998 Julian graduated in Marine Biology. To build his office experience, Julian joined Hills in 2000 as an Internal Sales Assistant. He is the Technical Director, responsible for managing and coordinating Hills group R&D activities fast forward to the present.

Outside of work, Julian enjoys watching rugby with his friends and fishing with his son (“and I don’t mean using him as bait, I use traditional baits, he fishes too,” Julian clarified). Julian’s lifelong goal is to buy a sailing yacht and sail the world.

Richard Taffinder

Richard Taffinder

Chairman

Richard joined the number plate industry in 1981, where he commenced his career in London. He started with the very basics of making a number plate, through hard work he quickly prospered to making business development decisions. Today as Chairman Richard’s motivation, positive energy and drive has developed the company into a global supplier with some of the best production systems in the world and a highly talented work force.

The man dubbed as ‘doesn’t have a stop button’ has a passion for motor racing and has been competing the British GT with the Ultratek Racing team, which Richard hopes will lead to his ambition of racing in the Le Mans 24-H. A family man at heart, his weekends are often tied up with entertaining his two children.

Kath Jenkins

Kath Jenkins

Finance Director

Kath joined Hills in 1999 as Finance Manager and became Finance Director in 2009. Kath’s primary function is to provide leadership to the Board’s Finance and Accounting strategy and to optimise the company’s financial performance and strategic position. During her time with the company she has seen many changes and is proud to be part of the Hills journey.
Outside of work Kath loves to spend time with her family and friends, and enjoys the theatre and concerts.

Favourite quote: “A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.” Albert Einstein

Favourite quote: Newton’s law “For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action.”

Favourite quote “Negativity should be illegal.”

 “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help and brave enough to ask for it.”  Zia K Abdelnour

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