Meet The Team

Alan Mills

Managing Director

Alan Mills

Alan has enjoyed all his working life in the graphic design and printing industry, working with many high profile clients that include The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association, the Royal Air Force, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew and Leukaemia Research to name a few.

Working from the shop floor, Alan has taken on many roles to gain his skills and experience in this industry, from Estimator, Account Manager and Sales Executive to Sales Manager. Now in partnership with Adrian and running The Design Factory, these skills allow Alan to talk very informatively and offer clients solutions and ideas that may not have been considered previously.

Alan is happily married to Elaine and they have a beautiful daughter, Lauren, who is presently at primary school learning fast about the world.

Alan’s passion for the industry and the work that is being produced at The Design Factory is second to none. He has the drive to lead a company that is extremely responsive to its clients, giving them a positive experience that ensures they return to The Design Factory with their next product.

Adrian Wood

Creative Director

Adrian Wood

Adrian is no stranger to success as a designer and has worked for and with many high-profile companies and people including the the Royal Air Force, CARE International, Jamie Oliver and RAFA to name but a few.

Working in various industries has given Adrian an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist, whether they be small or large organisations. His career has taken him through many industries, including charities, retail, the service industry and manufacturing. He has worked with and managed teams of two to twenty members.

Adrian’s passion is for design and he has brought out the best in the people he works with by inspiring them to reach heights they never thought possible.

Adrian is happily married to Louise and they have three beautiful daughters, Rachael, Rebecca and Nicola.

Adrian is passionate about working with people who continue to learn throughout their lives, as no one knows it all. Adrian believes he can help people to achieve their design goals with careful and inspirational work that meets their objectives.

Wayne France

Creative Designer

Wayne France

Wayne is a great all-rounder. From conception to reporgraphical print, he has the ability to adapt his core creative skills to ensure projects run efficiently, within budget and on time.

With 20 years’ design industry experience, Wayne has first-hand knowledge with numerous councils and so is very adept at working within the public sector.

Elaine Mills

Marketing

Elaine Mills

Elaine started working in the graphic reproduction department for a printing company, moving on to become brand design manager for Wickes Building Supplies. Elaine is qualified with a degree in marketing and understands the importance of keeping a brand on track and at the forefront of the target audience. Her experience gives The Design Factory a different outlook on various projects we work on, which at times gives us an edge over our competitors.

Ruth Potts

Financial Manager

Ruth Potts

A whiz with all the figures, Ruth looks after everything that is financial. She has successfully managed ginancial accounts for many companies in this industry and so this background helps with her duties and when talking to our clients and suppliers.

Ruth also works in the community as a Justice of the Peace and enjoys the great outdoors.

Fiona Thornton

Copywriter and Copy-editor

Fiona Thornton

Fiona has over twenty years’ experience in publishing as a copy-editor and copywriter. Her editorial experience ranges from academic books to humour and her writing experience encompasses marketing materials, gift books and themed copy for calendars and diaries, written to a client’s specific brief. Fiona is well known for her professional pedantry, her meticulous research and her ability to write in a style suitable for the individual client’s needs.