Meet the team

Peter Hobkirk

Managing Director
Following in his father & grandfathers footsteps, Peter came into the family business in 1965. Although now semi-retired, Peter still maintains an active daily interest in the business.

Mark Hobkirk

Sales Director
Mark joined the family company in 1993. Initially specialising in the industrial side of the company, Mark became a director in 2005 and now oversees all areas of the company.

Kathy Hobkirk

Accounts Manager
Married to Mark Hobkirk, Kathy joined Hobkirks in 2007 in administration and accounts. Kathy now controls most financial issues within the company.

Christine Hobkirk

Personnel & Wages
As wife to Peter Hobkirk, Christine has had 30 active years within the company including managing its Salford shop for many years. She continues in a part time capacity overseeing wages & personnel.

Gordon Guest

Industrial Parts & IT
Gordon joined Hobkirks in 1987 straight from school. He has a broad knowledge of the industry and specialises in industrial parts as well as controlling the computer system and web site.

Stuart Wearden

Domestic Technician
Stuart also joined the company straight from school in 1989 as a trainee technician and is now responsible for the repair & service of domestic sewing machines. He is also responsible for the servicing of sewing machines in schools and colleges.

Anne Marie Read

Sewing Tutor
Anne Marie is an expert in the field of embroidery, craft & sewing. She joined Hobkirks in 2006 and organises workshops & sewing classes. In 2010, Anne Marie beacame a freelance tutor and continues works within our dedicated classrooms.

Kath Lougheed

Sales Person
Kath’s role is within the craft department at Hobkirks known as ‘Hobby’s’. She joined in 2007 and also runs some of the in-house workshops.

Shaun Conlon

Trainee
Shaun joined Hobkirks in 2008 and is currently on a training course supported by Training 2000. He is specialising in the operation and repair of embroidery machines and associated software.



Martin Whitworth

Shop Manager
Martin joined the company during his school years as a Saturday assistant back in 1972. He has been with the company ever since and now manages the Blackburn shop backed by over 30 years of sewing machine knowledge.

John Sharples

Industrial Technician
John’s career has been within the sewing industry from leaving school. Following several years working in clothing production, he joined Hobkirks in 1993 and supports Hobkirks industrial customers and in house industrial repairs.

Martin Bailey

Industrial & Domestic Technician
Martin has had many years experience in the sewing industry on both industrial and domestic machines and sub contracts his services to Hobkirks.

Emma Brown

Embroiderer & Sales Person
Emma joined Hobkirk's in 2009 to speicalise in embroidery & garment decoration. She joins the company with a flair for artistic design & embroidery having a degree in graphic design.

Wendy Whyment

Bury Shop Manageress
Joining in 2009, Wendy's role is to run the company's Bury branch. Her career to date has always been in sewing and her area of expertise is wedding dresses.

Nikki Hacking

Internet Administrator
Nikki is the newest member of the team and joined in June 2010 as a trainee. She joined Hobkirk's straight from Collegeand is responsible for the running of our website, dispatching mail and general administation duties.