Ben Dormer is no stranger to John Wainwright & Co Ltd. He first joined the company as Quarry Manager in September 2016. In 2020 his role changed to Aggregates Business Manager. Since then, he has continued to develop with the business, completing a BSc (Hons) in Minerals Management in 2020 and playing a key role in the ongoing development of the Moons Hill Complex – including the successful planning permission to extend Stoke Quarry – all while maintaining a strong focus on safety, operational excellence, and customer service at the core.

Wainwright’s values have played a central role in shaping Ben’s approach. “We know Wainwright is excellent at delivering personal service and doing the right thing,” he says. “We’re also a professional operation where quality and sustainability are highly valued.” He adds that the priority remains clear: to maintain a safe, efficient working environment across all operations.

Already an experienced manager, Ben reflects, “I’ve learned a huge amount during my time with Wainwright. There is the operational responsibility of running a busy quarry, including planning extraction to access the best stone, but also a much deeper understanding of business and people management. That experience prepared me well for the role of Operations Director.”

In his current role, Ben’s responsibilities extend beyond quarrying to include the Asphalt and Viafix plants. “Asphalt and Viafix are crucial to our turnover,” he explains. “We have excellent facilities, operated by highly skilled teams. As Operations Director, my focus is to continue driving standards across all areas while ensuring safe, efficient operations.”

Ben is quick to acknowledge that success is a team effort. He values the expertise of colleagues across the business, recognising that everyone plays a vital role in driving operational performance. “We operate a diffused model of management,” he says, “where responsibility is shared across the business. That collaborative approach is something I really value.”

He is also embracing the opportunity to help shape the company’s culture as part of the executive team. “Working alongside the other directors is a fantastic opportunity to develop my broader business skills and increase my impact across the company,” he says. “There is still much for me to learn, but I am genuinely enjoying the opportunity to grow.”

As part of his continued professional development, Ben is currently attending a leadership programme at Cranfield School of Management, which is proving to be a highly valuable experience. The course goes beyond the immediate industry, focusing on broader business leadership skills that are directly applicable in today’s complex environment. It is already helping him strengthen his strategic thinking and equipping him to better implement business-wide initiatives that create value and drive success across John Wainwright & Co. Ltd.

As a long-standing member of the team, Ben understands Wainwright from the inside out. His wider industry experience also gives him valuable perspective, helping him identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the business. “Wainwright is a fantastic company with so much potential,” he says. “I am excited to play a part in shaping its future.”