After 13 years, Howard Trotter is stepping down as Business Manager at Shelforce, leaving behind a thriving business, an award-winning culture and a legacy built on inclusion, opportunity and teamwork.
Howard has played a central role in transforming Shelforce, the Birmingham City Council-owned manufacturer and supplier of windows, doors and fire doors for local authority building projects and social housing, into an £8m-plus turnover business, with turnover expected to exceed £10m this year. Today, the company’s order book is full for the next two years.
During Howard’s tenure, Shelforce has won numerous awards and earned national recognition for its commitment to people, social value and manufacturing excellence. Awards include Greater Birmingham Business of the Year and Excellence in People Development at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards.
In 2023, Shelforce secured the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity through social mobility.
At the heart of that success is Shelforce’s 31-strong workforce, 75% of whom have a physical disability, learning disability, autism or mental health challenge.
Reflecting on his time at Shelforce, Howard said: “A manager leads but ultimately their success is dependent on the team under them and if it wasn’t for this wonderful team we would not have had half the success that we have had. Every achievement has been down to the people here and the culture we’ve built together. They continually show what can be achieved with inclusive employment.
“I’m going to miss each one of them, but I know they will continue making Shelforce a success long into the future. It’s the right time for someone else to take this wonderful team forward, to continue driving Shelforce and continue its success.”
Wayne Davies, Director of Asset Management at Birmingham City Council, thanked Howard for his contribution to the organisation and the wider sector.
He said: “Howard leaves Shelforce in an incredibly strong position and his contribution over the last 13 years has been exceptional. These are very big shoes to fill because Shelforce is far more than a business. Howard has helped create a legacy that will continue for many years to come.
“As we begin the recruitment process for a new Business Manager, we’re looking for someone who can build on that success and continue leading and supporting this remarkable team into its next chapter. We wish Howard all the best for the new opportunity he has moving forward.”
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