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Taking charge of a multi-tonne heavy crane on a busy construction site might sound like a difficult enough job as it is. But for Dave Ellis, an Ainscough crane operator at Stanlow Oil Refinery, it’s only one of a variety of duties, including having once served as part-time Mayor of Buckley, in Flintshire. This is his Ainscough story.
I’ve worked at Ainscough since 1994 and have held many roles in that time. I’ve learned countless skills throughout my long career. Whether becoming a crane operator; a safety representative, Shop steward; or appointed person; you really can’t be bored working on a busy site like Stanlow. I feel incredibly proud to have found a career in which you can gain as much as you give.
I think the proudest achievement for me though, has always been our end results. Ainscough gets a really wide variety of clientele but our projects are all about innovation- building or improving on services that will help the region in which the project is based. Thousands of people use our finished products and their lasting influence creates a legacy that will exist to aid future generations. We’re always striving to provide the best possible service for what can often be life-changing projects.
I’ve spent a decade as a local Community Councillor at Buckley Town Council for precisely this same reason. Working with Ainscough has taken me all over the country, but I wanted to bring that line of work to my hometown of Buckley, where I became Mayor in 2018. Granted, it was a lot to take on, but the opportunity to give back to a community I’ve spent my whole life was really too good to miss.
One of the role’s biggest draws was the opportunity to become involved with some amazing non-profit organisations. All three of my chosen mayoral charities – The Stroke Association, The Alzheimer’s Society and Marie Curie Nurses – are very dear to my heart. I feel privileged to have done my bit in boosting awareness and funds for them. In total, I raised £13,603 during my mayoral term, surpassing even my wildest expectations.
None of this would have been possible without the help and support of my Ainscough line manager, Vicki Maddock, work colleagues on-site and friends and family. Hosting over 40 events during my term of office created enough difficulties, but my management team has only ever helped to streamline those commitments. Throughout my career, they’ve been integral in my development.
Ainscough offers both practical support by funding my Chartered membership I attained at IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), but also a general culture of encouragement. That sense of community is partly why I’ve stayed here so long. In almost three decades I’ve never felt short of support.
Ask anyone from Ainscough and I’m sure they’ll agree; our people really are our greatest asset. Teamwork runs through everything we do, particularly at Stanlow Oil Refinery. As a Tier 1 COMAH listed site it needs a safety-conscious crew and we all play our part to ensure an exceptional safety performance.
Working in that kind of safety-orientated environment gives you plenty of new challenges. It really helps to have the expert guidance available from our proficient team. I have gained my experience over many years in the crane industry and one of the best parts of the job has been passing down that knowledge to the new starters, ensuring tested methods can be upheld or updated as needed.
My term as mayor came to an end in May of this year. It was a huge honour to serve the community where I grew up, and I hope to continue to make a positive impact on my local community outside of the gown.
For anyone interested in developing a rewarding career, I would definitely recommend Ainscough. It’s rare to find a company which so readily supports its employee’s outside work. If you’re aiming for a certain height, be it a lift or skydive, Ainscough can help you get there.
Ainscough Crane Hire is always looking for the brightest and the best talent in all fields. From head office to operating some of the world’s biggest cranes, there’s a career at Ainscough for you. Anyone looking for a career change can visit the Ainscough jobs page at https://www.ainscough.co.uk/careers/jobs/.
