Oxley CEO celebrates 30 years with business

Darren Cavan joined the Oxley Group on March 7 1994 following a Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship at VSEL - now BAE Systems.

He initially worked within the night vision department, having the opportunity to travel the world modifying aircraft for night vision use.

He said: "I don't think I ever thought when I joined that I'd be here for this long but I definitely see that moment as a good point in my life.

"I was downbeat at the time because, as an apprentice, I hadn't been kept on by VSEL but then I heard about the job opening at Oxley, and I've been fortunate to be on this journey ever since."

He went on to roles in many areas of the business including time at Oxley Inc. in the US before being appointed as Oxley Technical Director in May 2009.

Darren was then appointed Head of the Lighting & Systems division in 2017 and took up the post of Oxley Group CEO in 2018.

Darren pictured with Oxley representatives and Theresa May during a visit of their site (Image: Jayne Moorby)

"I think I might be the last CEO who intimately knows how Anne [Oxley, the founder of the business in 1968] wanted the company to be run," Darren explained.

"Going forward, I want to keep honouring her legacy, which focused on sharing our profits with the staff who make our success possible."

Since his appointment, the business has been going from strength to strength in its role as a supplier to the defence, aerospace, rail and telecommunications industries.

Recent years have seen growth, entry to new markets and a host of industry awards for Oxley under his leadership.

Added to this, Darren was recently recognised as one of the industry’s ‘Top 100’ in the category of Inspiring Leader.

When asked how he is approaching the next stage of his career, Darren said: "I want to make the company stronger.

"When I eventually retire I want it to be in an even better position than when I joined."