23.12.2018

Brian Steadman retires

UK powered access veteran Brian Steadman, one of Advanced Access Platforms’ longest serving employees, who over the years has worked for no less than nine UK access rental companies has retired.

Steadman started out as a service engineer in the forklift industry working for Andytruc in West Drayton, Middlesex before moving on to Lex Harvey which was eventually acquired by SGB. His introduction into the aerial lift market came via Norwich based Independent Access Supplies, which was owned by 3i, but went into administration in 2004. After some time in administration, the company was acquired through a Management Buy In led by Andrew Fishburn and Stuart Honeywood supported by Drivemaster. The business was then rebranded as Wizard Work Space.

Steadman later went on to join Nationwide Access as it was then, followed by AFI and Panther Platforms. His next move took him to Kimberly Access, followed by Charles Wilson and then Loxam, before finally settling down in 2008 when he joined Advanced Access where he has worked for the past 10 years.
Please register to see all images

Brian Steadman

Operations manager Matt Woolman said “I have known Brian for some 13 years, first meeting him at Westfields White city where we were based onsite for Kimberly Access. It was there I saw his willingness to help straight away and I recall an incident when we had taken a break and were sitting on the pavement/sidewalk with a coffee outside Shepherd’s Bush station in the early hours of the morning and a member of public passing by threw some loose change into Brian’s cup, having mistook him for a homeless person!”

"Brian has carried on this work ethic throughout my time alongside him at Advanced Access and I am proud to call him a friend as well as a colleague."

Managing director John Corcoran added: "Brian's tireless energy and willingness to help along with his flexibility have made him a valued and well respected member of staff by the whole team.”

A retirement party was held for him last week, at which he was presented with a crystal decanter, tray and matching glasses along with a bottle to fill it.
Please register to see all images

Advanced Access owner John Corcoran with Steadman after a long night celebrating his retirement