Alastair Shires
Alastair has more than 20 years experience with Contender Sailcloth, working within all aspects of the business. Having spent time in both the Australian and New Zealand markets and through maintaining a close relationship with the rest of the Contender group Alastair has continued to build up a broad technical and practical base. Over the years, as a keen and active sailor, he has raced offshore in Fastnet and Sydney Hobart through to One Design classes such as the Dragon and more recently RS400 & 800.  Heading up Contender UK, Alastair concentrates on technical sales, development and customer support.

Martin Shires
Martin has spent a lifetime working in textiles.  With more than 48 years working with sailcloth, Martin started Contender UK 23 years ago with his wife Carol.  The business was originally based at Segensworth East but having grown steadily over the years had to move to bigger premises in Segensworth South.  Martin is known and respected throughout the industry for his wealth of experience and technical background.  He now looks after sales and customer services, acting as chief golf representative at any opportunity.

Ian Henry
Ian has been involved in the marine industry for over 31 years.  Having spent 24 years as a leading sailmaker Ian turned to the development, manufacture and marketing of hardware for the sail making industry.  Ian was a keen 505 sailor for most of his sailing days before changing to 1/2 tonners and other big boats.  Ian joined Contender UK 10 years ago and runs the operation on a daily basis, concentrating on purchasing, sales and customer service.

Richard Knibbs
Richard joined us to extend our commitment to technical sales, customer service, support and product development.  Richard has many years of experience in the technical textile industry specialising in technical threads, such as brand leaders Tenara and their application in technical textile applications.  Richard actively promotes all our products and offers technical sales support and customer service whereever it is required.

David Leigh
David heads up our store department. David brings a wealth of experience in this area to our team. Having pervious experience as a "customer" of ours, David understands the needs of our customers and the level of service that we expect to offer. David ensures all sales orders and goods in are processed correctly and customers shipments are made on time.

Francis Savege
Francis has recently joined Contender UK and heads up the stores and customer services team.  Francis has considerable experience in logistics and customer care.  Having worked extensively for the Ministry of Defence and until recently as a "customer" of ours, Francis is ideally placed to understand the practical need of our customers.  Francis handles and ensures all sales orders and goods in are processed correctly and customers shipments are made on time.  In addition Francis looks after customer services and general sales enquiries on a day to day basis.

Sue Hobbs
Sue has been involved in the marine industry for 13 years and joined Contender UK 8 years ago.  Sue handles all reception duties, day to day administration in the office, sales invoicing, bought ledger and general sales enquiries.

Rachael Davies-Pollard
Rachael joined Contender UK 4 years ago and heads up the accounts department for the business.  While handling the overall accounting duties, in conjunction with Sue she also ensures that everyone is paid on time.

Ann White
Ann joined Contender UK 10 years ago and brings invaluable experience to the stores team.  Ann has worked as a machinist in the sail and cover making industry before moving to the supply side.  This has given her an invaluable perspective of the products.  Ann looks after goods in and orders, specifically those with a hardware bias.