At Pinefield Glass, growth is reflected not just in the work we deliver, but in the people who make it happen. As the business has developed over the years, so have the roles, responsibilities and experiences of the team who keep everything moving day-to-day.
Operations Director Martin Charlesworth has been part of that journey from the early days through to where the business is now. We spoke with him about his career path at Pinefield Glass, what managing a fast-growing operation really looks like behind the scenes and why having the right people around him has been central to everything along the way.
Can you tell us a bit about your career journey so far?
“I started at Pinefield working on the trade counter before moving into an estimating role, which was more sales-focused and involved working closely with the showroom. As the company grew and we brought in more estimators, I progressed into a senior estimator position, focusing on new builds and extensions. From there, I moved into the new build department, working alongside Jamie Edwards to develop that side of the business from the ground up. As it continued to expand, I stepped into a contracts manager role and then moved into operations – where I am today.”
What were you doing before joining Pinefield Glass?
“I left school to pursue a career in football full-time with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where I spent around a year and a half. I’m still very much involved in the game today, coaching my kids’ team and have recently taken on a role with a first team as well.”
Is there a key moment or experience that’s shaped how you work today?
“Over the years, I’ve become a big believer in procedures and processes. When things are busy, and they usually are, you need to stay organised and manage your time properly. Without that structure, it’s easy to fall behind.”
What’s one of the biggest operational challenges you deal with?
“Growth, without a doubt. As we’ve expanded, we’ve had to create new roles and structures to keep up, for example, bringing transport under one umbrella or splitting departments across different sites.
“Space is another challenge. We’ve had to take on additional yard space and rethink how we operate day-to-day just to make everything fit and run efficiently.”
How do you manage such a busy and complex operation?
“Communication is key. We have regular team meetings where managers and supervisors can flag issues or ask for support. It’s about working together, so if one department is under pressure, we shift resources to help keep everything moving.”
What might surprise people about your role?
“Probably how hands-on it still is! I’m not someone who sits back and oversees everything, I’m involved across all departments, checking in regularly and stepping in where needed. If someone’s off or a department needs support, I’ll help out. It’s very much a team effort.”
What’s a lesson you learned early in your career that still sticks with you?
“To surround yourself with good people. If you’ve got a strong team you can trust, it makes a huge difference. We put a lot of thought into who we bring into the business because it’s important that everyone works well together.”
What do you handle differently now compared to earlier in your career?
“I take a breath before reacting, try to step back, think it through and come back to it with a clearer perspective.”
How has your idea of success changed over time?
“I don’t know if it’s changed, it just keeps moving. You hit a goal, then set another one. You think something will be enough, but as the business grows, there’s always something else to work towards.
We don’t like to say no to opportunities or turn away potential projects. Instead, we stay open-minded and focus on how we can make things work, rather than stepping back from being involved in something exciting.”
What excites you most about the future of Pinefield Glass?
“Seeing people progress. We’ve had team members join straight from school or college who weren’t sure what they wanted to do, and now they’ve built real careers here. Watching that growth, from entry level through to supervisory or management roles, is something I’m really proud of.”
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
“Go all in. If you’re going to start something, you need to commit to it fully and see it through. You can’t do it halfway – you’ve got to be prepared to put the time and effort in.”
Martin’s journey reflects the wider story of Pinefield Glass, steady growth built on experience, adaptability and a strong team culture. From his early days on the trade counter through to leading operations, his career shows the opportunities that come with the right mindset and the support of a team working towards the same goal.
As the business continues to grow, it’s the people, communication and pride in the work that keep everything moving in the right direction.
We’ll be sharing more stories from the people behind Pinefield Glass soon.