Steve founded our company in 1997, and his automotive engineering knowledge, experience and devotion to product innovation and excellence continue to drive the business forward today.

Recognized by mass volume vehicle manufacturers across the globe for his considerable accomplishments in chassis and suspension engineering, and, since the formation of Lateral, for the pioneering contribution made to the development of superior wheelchair accessible vehicles, Steve gives Lateral its unique design edge. No other company in our industry is home to the same level of pure engineering talent that Steve and his growing team provides.

Steve’s career résumé includes a wide range of highly technical, high profile projects: ‘Active suspension’ for TVR, the Savant 175 (now known as the Quantum Extreme), Litton Cars (Lancia Stratos replicas), and, perhaps most notably, seven years working at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva), designing detectors for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

It is the decades of learning and experience that Steve gained in undertaking these automotive and mechanical projects, which provide the knowledge foundations upon which Lateral was built; design engineering is the heart of our company. Lateral is the culmination of a career spent delivering beautifully-resolved solutions to complex and often safety-critical design briefs.

More than a decade since our formation, Steve leads Lateral as Managing Director, but remains the project engineer for many of our products, including Lateral Wedge Ramp and Lateral ax-s Hydra-kneel lowering suspension.

Steve’s passion for harmonizing original thought, leading-edge design and manufacturing technology, and relentless passion for improvement, is Lateral’s signature.

 

Bryce joined Lateral in 2001 as an apprentice, spending his first year at Keighley College full time, studying Engineering. Following successful completion of his studies in 2002, Bryce commenced work on the company’s shop floor, gaining invaluable hands-on experience of Lateral access products and conversions.

Bryce moved in to Lateral’s Design Department in 2003, undertaking precision engineering design and development activities, with particular focus on the company’s industry leading wheelchair accessible vehicle kits. 

Extremely proficient in computer aided design, Bryce completes much of the company’s ‘solid modeling’ of new vehicle subframes, ramp mechanisms and suspension systems, using state of the -art SolidWorks™ software. Amongst his responsibilities, Bryce also applies his knowledge and experience to supporting the wealth of testing activities that Lateral, as a responsible automotive engineering company, undertakes.

With a natural flair for the design of beautifully executed mechanisms and engineering solutions, Bryce has been pivotal in the successful and continual growth of Lateral’s industry revered product line. Since 2005 Bryce has been leading Lateral’s design team as Design Director.

Bryce returned to his studies in 2005, completing an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering, reading subjects including machining, welding, electrical, and hydraulics. In recognition of his efforts, Bryce was awarded ‘Engineer of the Year’ by his college.
Alongside these studies Bryce completed an ONC, topics including applied Mathematics, design theory and engineering sciences, and also a Level 3 Management course, further broadening the skills he brings to Lateral.

 

After graduating from Coventry university in 2002 with a First Class MDes in Industrial Product Design, Richard's career in Special Purpose Vehicles began when he took the position of Design Engineer with Pocklingon Coachworks Ltd, the York-based designer and manufacturer of Formula 1 and motorsport race and hospitality trailers.

In 2004 Richard moved to ambulance and mobility bus manufacturer UVModular Ltd, initially in design but then progressing to a New Product Development coordinating role, during which time he was instrumental in adding ambulance van conversions to the company's core product line.

In 2008 Richard was asked to join the management team for the start-up and operation of an all-new ambulance company, Response-SV, in Keighley. As Operations Manager for the new business, Richard contributed to all aspects of the new venture from design and development through to production, and oversaw activities related to Technical Sales, Purchasing and Aftersales. Alongside his core responsibilities Richard also developed the majority of new client accounts, and was directly responsible for bringing £1.2million of new and used ambulance sales revenue.

Whilst working for Response-SV, Richard was seconded to undertake numerous sales and marketing activities on behalf of neighbouring Lateral, and he subsequently moved to join the team full-time for 2011.

As the company's Business Development Manager, Richard has been responsible for building the Lateral brand, defining the product and service range for the company's new website and sales materials, and developing new markets and product lines, in particular bespoke and special purpose derivatives of Lateral's well established accessible models.

Richard calls upon his considerable experience of working as a designer and manager of special purpose vehicles/companies, and his broad technical knowledge and understanding of bespoke vehicles, to assist our clients with their vehicle and access equipment requirements, and to aid the forward development of the Lateral business.

With over twenty-five years experience of accountancy in industry Darren joined Lateral as the Company Accountant in April 2007.

Since joining the company he has completed his CIMA exams and is now a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA).

Keen to continually develop his skills and offering to the business, Darren is currently undertaking the exams of the Institute of Taxation.

Darren has a proven background in cash and budgetary control and has an extensive knowledge of the accounts function. He works tirelessly to effectively manage Lateral’s business economics.

Commenting on the support and empowerment Lateral extends and encourages in its employees, Darren adds:
 “Lateral is a forward thinking, people orientated company that offers all its employees the chance for progression.   Its investment in people is paramount to its success and I am testament to the company’s level of commitment to personal development”.

 

More information coming shortly

 

Sam has been working in Sales and Customer Service for sixteen-years, and has been applying her considerable experience to serve the needs of Lateral customers since January 2010. Sam has developed a wide knowledge of the wheelchair accessible vehicle industry, and is now a familiar and friendly face to many of the U.K.’s biggest converters.

Turning her hand to a variety of Sales & Marketing activities for Lateral, Sam has also aided our considerable testing and homologation program, and subsequently can provide excellent support to Lateral’s customers in this regard.
Sam started her career at sixteen working as a horse-riding instructor, serving prestigious clients. The Devon Equestrian Centre at which she worked counted Lady Diana amongst their V.I.P attendees.

Keen to further her skill set, Sam undertook an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration studies at her local college. Having found her forte, Sam departed from equine activities to work full time in Sales, first serving the bespoke and office furniture industries.

Sam’s abilities were soon recognized, and she progressed to handle numerous key accounts, including those of ACAS, Scottish Parliament, ETS and Hanover hotels, overseeing major furniture installations on-site, and being customer’s first point of contact.

Based full time at our Keighley facility, Sam is on-hand to serve the exacting needs of valued Lateral customers, working to ensure their total satisfaction with our products and services.