Paul Curtis Steps Down as CEO of LPA Group After Nearly Four Decades

Paul Curtis, a veteran executive with over 35 years at LPA Group plc, officially stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and board member on 31 May 2024, marking the end of a significant chapter in the UK-based engineering firm’s history. Curtis will remain with the company as an employee until 31 July 2024 to support the leadership transition.

Curtis joined LPA in 1988 and held various senior roles, including Chief Operating Officer, before being appointed CEO in April 2020. His tenure as CEO coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting unprecedented challenges. Despite these hurdles, Curtis led the company through a turbulent period, focusing on diversification and operational resilience. Under his leadership, LPA introduced new product lines and strengthened its workforce, laying the groundwork for future growth.

In a statement, Chairman Robert Horvath expressed gratitude for Curtis’s contributions: “Paul guided the Group through a difficult period. He has recruited some great people and brought in new product lines to help us diversify the Group, and we are grateful for that work. We wish Paul well in his future endeavours.”

Following Curtis’s departure, Gordon Wakeford, a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, assumed the role of Chair of the Executive Committee on an interim basis. The company initiated a search for a permanent successor, emphasizing the importance of continuity and strategic alignment.

On 2 January 2025, LPA Group announced the appointment of Philo Daniel-Tran as the new CEO and Executive Director. Daniel-Tran brings extensive experience from her previous roles as Global Director of Aviation & Urban Security at Smiths Detection and positions at France’s Thales SA. She also serves as a transport security advisor to the UK Department for Transport. Her appointment signals a commitment to innovation and strategic growth in LPA’s core markets.

LPA Group, headquartered in Saffron Walden, Essex, specializes in electronic and electro-mechanical components and systems, serving sectors such as rail, aviation, defense, and infrastructure. The company operates three business units, each led by a Managing Director, ensuring operational continuity during leadership transitions.

The leadership change comes as LPA continues to secure significant contracts and expand its market presence. In recent months, the company announced new retrofit contracts for interior lighting solutions in the UK and Dutch rail sectors, reflecting its ongoing commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

As LPA Group embarks on this new chapter under Daniel-Tran’s leadership, the company aims to build upon the solid foundation established during Curtis’s tenure, focusing on strategic growth and technological advancement in its specialized markets.