UK manufacturer Salamander Pumps has announced two senior appointments, with Dale Robertson joining the company as managing director and Claire Thompson named head of customer experience and marketing.

Dale Robertson started his career as a product design engineer and went on to lead teams in engineering, management and marketing director roles for companies such as Gripple and JELD-WEN and start-ups.

He will now focus on ensuring Salamander Pumps is a customer-focused business, with service and product development at its heart.

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Robertson will be closely supported by Claire Thompson, who has been promoted to the newly created role of head of customer experience and marketing.

Having worked in Salamander Pumps’ marketing team for the past nine years, she has taken on the role following six months spent leading a detailed customer experience project for the company.

The customer experience projects encouraged increased communication and departmental interaction.

Thompson will now lead a team which includes marketing, training and customer service collaborating under ‘one roof’ to put customers first.

Reflecting on the new roles, MD Dale Robertson commented: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of Managing Director – especially at such an exciting time for the company.

“I had always had a passion for uncovering customer or product issues, and then finding ways to solve them and the role at Salamander Pumps really appealed to me.

“I’ve worked at huge global companies and small intimate startups – but for me, this is a real sweet spot – it’s a nimble and agile organisation, innovative and full of potential for significant growth.

“We’ve already put lots of plans into action, including exciting product development, an overhaul of our customer service journey and even plans for a new HQ in Sunderland to support growth plans over the next three years.

“Claire’s new role will ensure that the customer is always the priority in the decision-making process at Salamander Pumps.

“Our customers are extremely important to us, and our goal is to add value to their engagement with us, so they feel included with our brand like never before.”

Claire Thompson added: “I am delighted to be offered this exciting new role and I’m really looking forward to the challenge it will bring.

“It’s a great opportunity to work closely with the wider marketing and customer experience team to ensure we are offering a consistent, personalised and seamless customer experience.”

These appointments follow a record year of sales for its CT Xtra range, up by more than 30% in the last 12 months.