Senior Management Team

Michael Sussex

Managing Director

Formerly an advanced craft apprentice, Michael rapidly moved through site supervision and into contract management.

Michael is now the owner and Managing Director of WMS and is responsible for the overall performance of the Company.

Michael has developed the business to become a leading and financially secure provider of building maintenance, refurbishment and a painting and decorating company. In 2015 he oversaw the takeover and purchase of Williams and Martin Ltd.

He takes a keen interest in the company's professional image and in the performance of it's client facing services as well as leading WMS and Williams and Martin Ltd to continual growth.

Outside of work, Michael retains his competitive edge as a League Table Tennis and Tennis player

Anthea Sussex

Financial Director

When her husband, Michael Sussex took over the business, Anthea took on the roles of both Finance Director and Company Secretary of WMS.

Anthea has worked within the finance sector all of her working life, qualifying as an accounting technician in 1999. Previous to joining WMS Anthea worked within the NHS finance department for Northern Devon Healthcare Trust.

Anthea is responsible for the Finance and HR departments of WMS and is very grateful for a hardworking and reliable team. She is keen to maintain the strong financial position of the business and is also proud of WMS being an approved signatory of the Prompt Payment Code. Anthea also recognises the importance of meeting the responsibilities as an employer to ensure all members of staff have a safe, happy and positive environment to work in.

Outside of work she keeps busy with their three children and enjoys the stresses and strain of family life!

Matt Westaway

Contracts Director

Based at Head office in Bideford, Matt works closely with the contract management team to aid the delivery of our cyclical, construction and refurbishment contracts throughout the South West.. A long standing member of the team, Matt understands the key ingredients that make WMS able to deliver for its varied clients and their individual requirements. Having worked in the construction industry his whole working career and being qualified to NVQ level 7 in Construction Senior Management, the knowledge and experience he has gained is very valuable to our business.

Outside of work Matt is a very keen cricketer and enjoys a round of golf.

Greg Norman

Operations Director

Prior to working for WMS Greg has 10years of experience within the asbestos industry as a Surveying Manager and during this time completed his NEBOSH construction safety and health certificate and NVQ L6 in construction contracts management.

Greg is a technical member of IOSH and is currently completing a L7 Health and Safety NVQ to progress to Graduate IOSH status. He has gained a wealth of experience from managing and working across, social housing, commercial and industrial sites throughout the South West.

Outside of work Greg is a sponsored surfer, very keen road cyclist and runner.

Mike Platt

Area Manager

Mike joined WMS in 2009 and has subsequently progressed to Area Manager working out of our South Devon branch.

He is currently responsible for a team of staff delivering Principal Contractor jobs and planned works across South Devon and Somerset.

Mike is a qualified electrician by trade and is also our NICEIC Principal Duty Holder and Qualified Supervisor.

In his spare time he likes cycling and spending time with his wife and two children.

Chris Snell

Area Manager

Chris joined WMS in Sept 2021 as newly appointed Area Manager and is tasked with building and developing the Somerset branch for WMS. Delivering a variety of work streams from responsive maintenance to large principal contractor work, Chris is steadily managing and growing the workforce and contractor supply chain. 

Chris started in the industry in 1997, completing his apprenticeship in Carpentry & Joinery NVQ 3. From his time on the tools he’s progressed onto Site Management then Contract Management and now in to Senior Management with WMS. Chris has extensive knowledge and experience in the refurbishment, development and repair sectors within the construction industry and holds Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management.

Outside of work Chris enjoys keeping active, most sports and spending time with his family.

James Gibbon

Area Manager

Having worked for WMS for 9 years James is our Area Manager for Cornwall and has risen through the ranks becoming the latest addition to the WMS Senior Management Team.

Conversant in all disciplines within the construction industry James' practical knowledge has been particularly valuable in developing repeat business through his collaborative working style with clients.

A keen sportsman James played rugby to a high standard and now enjoys watching Exeter Chiefs and Cornish Pirates, along with Truro City FC.

Married with 2 children James spends as much of his spare time he can with his family enjoying the delights of the Cornish countryside and coastline.

Steve Oakley

Client Services Manager

Steve started his career as a YTS coach painter before landing his first full time job as a Development and Quality Control Technician in a paint and powder coating laboratory.

Progressing to Technical Sales Manager, covering Midlands and the North, Steve secured Publicity and PR roles, earning his Honours Degree in Business, before moving back into the coatings industry as a Specifier Account Manager at AkzoNobel - eventually relocating to the South West.

Based in Cornwall, with responsibility for the Westcountry, Steve’s key role and responsibilities as Client Services Manager at WMS include business development, client relationship management and tender quality submissions.

Steve’s hobbies include going to the gym, reading, walking his dogs, visiting the beach, watching sport, watching live music, drinking Guinness and eating curry.