From placement student to R&D Manager

Barrus has promoted Jon Bebb to Research & Development Manager, succeeding Phil James following his retirement after 28 years with the company.

Having worked closely with Phil throughout his career at Barrus, Jon now leads the R&D team, overseeing product development projects and working with production engineering, sales and workshop teams to deliver innovative engineering solutions across the business.

Jon's appointment reflects Barrus' long-standing commitment to developing engineering talent from within. He first joined the company in 2019 as a placement student while studying Motorsport Engineering. After returning to complete his master’s degree, he joined Barrus full-time as an R&D Engineer in 2022.

Since then, Jon has been instrumental in several strategic projects, including hybrid and electric propulsion systems, hydrogen technology research, new Post-Immersion Restart Systems (PIRS) and the successful integration of Hybrid Marine production into Barrus' operations. He has also represented the company within the marine industry through the British Marine Propulsion & Equipment Group.

Reflecting on his career progression, Jon said, "The practical experience you gain in industry is invaluable. It gives you skills you simply can't learn in a lecture theatre and helped shape both my career and my development as an engineer. I'm proud to lead an incredible team that continues to develop innovative products for our customers."

As R&D Manager, Jon will oversee projects from concept through to production, while mentoring graduate and placement engineers to help develop the next generation of talent.

"Innovation is essential to our future," he added. "Customer expectations, technology and legislation are constantly evolving, so we're always looking at how we can develop products that meet tomorrow's needs."

Recent investment in advanced 3D scanning and additive manufacturing technologies is helping accelerate product development, alongside continued work on hybrid propulsion systems and other emerging technologies.

David Etherington Smith, Sales Manager, Special Products, said, "Jon's progression is a fantastic example of the opportunities available at Barrus. His technical knowledge, leadership and passion for innovation make him the ideal person to lead our R&D team as we continue investing in new technologies and developing solutions that meet the changing needs of our customers."