Fenestration and building components provider Quanex UK & Ireland – which now includes hardware brand ERA - has appointed Ryan Hammond to the role of Corporate Sustainability Specialist.

Hammond joined Tyman UK & Ireland - now Quanex following an acquisition last year - in October 2023 as part of the company's apprenticeship programme. 

As part of a Level Four Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability apprenticeship, his remit was to develop his skills while supporting the wider team in aligning sustainability activity with the latest developments relating to certifications, product development, packaging and more.

Quanex UK & Ireland offers apprenticeships as part of its commitment to providing learning opportunities for young talent within the local community, while helping to strengthen the fenestration industry’s pipeline of young talent.

In order to nurture their development, each apprentice is given the opportunity to undertake training and spend time with colleagues across other areas of the business, including senior management, to gain a better understanding of company-wide operations and broaden their skill sets. 

As Hammond’s apprenticeship comes to an end, he has been given the opportunity of a full-time role as a Sustainability Specialist for the UK. 

In this role, he will use his training and skills and continue to build on the success of the past 18 months. Alongside this new role, Hammond will complete the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership course on Sustainable Real Estate, further expanding his knowledge.

Hammond has been heavily involved in several ERA sustainability projects, including aligning its work with UN Sustainable Development Goals; ensuring compliance with Sustainability UK targets; Extended Producer Responsibility and Plastic Packaging Tax.

Hammond, whose development has come under the guidance of Lara Coutinho, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager at Quanex UK & Ireland, will now be taking more of a leading role on projects relating to Quanex UK & Ireland and its sustainability ambitions in the UK.

On his development and new role, he said: “Starting out as an apprentice, there’s so much to learn aside from the role itself - you need to settle in with the team around you and get used to a new working environment.

“The team have been incredible in helping me and ensuring I’ve been able to grow in confidence and build my knowledge base in a way which helps me and helps Quanex.

“I’m excited to build on the steps we’ve taken over the past 18 months and support in moving ERA forward in a market where sustainability is so important.”

Coutinho added: “Ryan has been such a great asset to the team since joining Quanex as an apprentice.

“We’re very proud to offer apprenticeships with a strong pathway for career development and a supportive environment in which our apprentices can grow.

“Ryan is a perfect example of this, and we’re excited for his continued journey at Quanex.”