Meet the team

Peter Hobkirk

Chairman
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

Managing 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.

Tatiana Greenwood 

Shop Assistant & Dressmaker

Expert sewer and dressmaker, Tatiana supports Martin in our retail sewing department.

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

Technical Support
Shaun joined Hobkirks in 2008 and has been 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.  

Joe Heaton 

 Industrial Technician

Serving the sewing industry for most of his working career, Joe brings his expert technical knowledge to Hobkirk's industrial department.  

Steve Roughan

Industrial Technician
Having spent much of his working career wih Bentwood and Yamato, Steve supports the industrial service department. 

Fiona Waring

Embroidery Manager
Fiona isthe latest to join the Hobkirk team specialising in the field of embroidery.

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 College and is responsible for the running of our website, dispatching mail and general administation duties.