John Mills Retires After 23 Years of Service at SGH
After 23 years of dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, this week SGH says a very fond farewell to John Mills as he retires.
John’s career is nothing short of inspirational, spanning more than six decades in British manufacturing and engineering.
He began his journey in 1964 as an Apprentice Jig Borer at Lucas Aerospace, developing the craftsmanship, discipline and attention to detail that would define his entire career. He then progressed to Thorn Colour Tubes, where he took on the role of Quality Engineer, further cementing his expertise in precision engineering and quality standards.
From there, John moved to Pegler Hattersley as Quality Manager, before continuing his leadership journey at Bee Mouldings (later Champion). By the time John joined SGH in 2003, he brought with him a wealth of experience, technical knowledge and calm authority that immediately strengthened our business.
During his time at SGH, John played a pivotal role in shaping who we are today. Notably, he stepped up to run SGH Moulds as General Manager for six years, guiding the company with steady leadership, integrity and a deep understanding of both people and process. After this period, he transitioned back into the Quality Manager role, where he focused on developing and strengthening our quality systems, ensuring that standards, compliance and continuous improvement remained at the heart of everything we do.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, John has been a trusted voice of reason, a mentor to many and a custodian of the values that define SGH. His influence goes far beyond procedures and systems; it lives in the culture he helped build.
Few people can say they have dedicated over 60 years to engineering excellence. Fewer still can say they’ve done so with the consistency, professionalism and humility that John has shown every single day.
Martin Jones, Managing Director at SGH Moulds: “John, thank you for your extraordinary contribution to SGH and to the wider manufacturing industry. Your legacy here is secure, and you leave with our deepest respect and appreciation. We wish you a long, healthy and very happy retirement, filled with time spent with your grandchildren, plenty of golf, and cheering on your beloved Everton FC. Enjoy every minute, you’ve more than earned it.”
