Ben joined Griffon Hoverwork in 2004 as a Weld and Fabrication apprentice, but already had a good background in hovercraft through volunteering at the Hovercraft Museum, where he still volunteers today as a trustee.
The apprenticeship at Griffon Hoverwork enable Ben to work closely alongside other trades and in 2009 he moved into a more mechanical role in the Special Projects tam, supporting projects overseas as well as in the UK. By 2011 Ben had gained some basic marine qualifications to pilot smaller commercial hovercraft for sea trials before undertaking a Merchant Navy (Deck) cadetship in 2016 and working on conventional shipping after qualifying, and while still working for Griffon Hoverwork in his time off.
In 2020 Ben returned to the business full time and is now Chief Pilot and Sales Engineering Manager, working closely with customers both in the UK and overseas, as well as working closely alongside our sister company Hovertravel.
The customer interaction and building those relationships are still Ben's favourite aspect of the job; being involved from initial customer enquiry, through to the build process, sea trials, customer training and on to through-life support with spares, support, training and fleet upgrade.