Meet The Team
At EA-RS, our business is our people. Our experts have undergone thorough and specialist training to reach their current positions. Everyone that joins EA-RS Group has the same opportunities to develop and learn not only their trade, but also how to become better managers. Central to our people and our success is our culture. We have developed and continue to live by our EA-12s, our 12 social values. We live and work by values that promote the generation of solutions that work for you. Our Academy ensures first and foremost that every member of our team is fully committed to continual personal development and has access to the latest education available to us.
Senior Leadership Team
Alan Wheal
Group CEO
I am the founder of EA-RS Fire Group. I have enjoyed seeing the business develop since 1997.
I have 3 boys and a daughter that keep me fit.
My passion is skiing and boating, travelling is my hobby.
Mark Wheeler
Group COO
I am Group Chief Operating Officer
I have worked for more than 25 years in Fire Engineering, joining EA-RS in 2013 as Service Manager, working through to Service Director, then onto MD in 2017, then Group MD and now Group Chief Operating Officer. I am ready for our challenge to buy and build on the best Small Fire Engineering companies in the UK. I love my family life and motorbikes.
Derek Ferguson
CFO
I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and worked for PWC in Restructuring and M&A Advisory. Since then I have worked in private equity and acted as CFO within several entrepreneurial businesses. I joined EA-RS as Non-Executive Director in 2018 to help the Senior team raise capital for their already successful buy and build strategy. In January 2021, I became Group CFO following our successful private equity fund raise and will continue through the growth plan.
Outside of work my interests are football and golf. I have 3 grown up children and my wife and I have a passion for travelling to sunny countries.
Phil Silverlock
Technical Director
I started with AL and Dave installing systems across the UK and developed the M and E install Engineer philosophy at site level. I gave up site installs in 2015 and worked my way through project engineering to head of technical and Service. Today I am Group Technical Director and look after our modular data centre and date centre engineering clients, I also sit on the board of UK Gaseous systems.
I have a wife and 2 grown up children both with grandchildren.
I enjoy football and love seeing the grandchildren.
Jason Clitheroe
Director Of Operations
I am an experienced Director Of Operations with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry and facilities services. I am skilled in Fire Detection & Alarm, Gas Suppression, Watermist and Sprinkler Systems for Data Centres and Commercial Office Spaces and Social Housing from Basebuild to CAT A/B fitouts and FSRA Works, Commercial Management, Design, Installation and Commissioning.
David Watson
Business Development Director
I joined EA-RS as employee number 3 In 1997 and have enjoyed helping AL build the business to its current levels. I have been Salesman, Sales engineer, head of the Mechanical division and Joint Managing Director. Today I look after Key client business development across the Group services.
I have a wife and 2 boys and love Golf and travelling.
Management Team
Jason Pye
Business Development Manager
I have now been in the industry for over 18 years, working for Chubb from 2002-2012 as an Engineer to Senior Engineer and then Service Manager. In 2012 it was time for a change and I joined the Kentec sales team which gave me a great understanding of the manufacturing world, in October 2019 I joined EA-RS Fire where I now look after sales for CBRE and other contracts and I am thoroughly enjoying my role.
My Passions are Classic Cars (American and UK), Traveling & Family. Weekends when I am not traveling or visiting my family you will find me under/ in / driving my 1965 – C10 Pickup truck.
Darren Mussell
Business Development Manager
Kevin Pullen
Group Head of Estimating
I have been working within the organisation since 2004 and have been in the industry for over 30 years.
I love being with my family & my big boys toys
Dean Weeks
Commissioning Manager
I started with R&S fire back in 2007 and then merged with EA-RS in 2012. I started as a service/commissioning engineer and worked my way up to commissioning manager since 2016.
My passions outside of work include playing golf, and watching my football team and spending time with my family.
Lisa Bonney
Office Manager
I have 30 years of experience in providing administrative support within the industries of large corporate, academia and small enterprise.
I enjoy travelling, walking and cooking.
Joshua Wheal
Corporate Development and Strategy
Joshua has gained extensive experience in corporate finance/ M&A previously working for Dragons Dens James Caan, starting on the sell-side and transitioning into buy-side. After introducing Rockpool to the EA-RS Group, Josh now supports the team on all deals, from M&A through to integration and overall corporate strategy.
Josh also works closely with the FIA on Industry strategy, most recently developing the Igneo market platform which the FIA acquired in January 2022.