January 19, 2026: Grahame Simmons has taken over as finance manager at Hammond Expanders UK.

He succeeds Carolyn Nichols, who recently retired after 21 years of service with Hammond UK.

Simmons joins Hammond with over 30 years’ experience in the clothing and automotive manufacturing industries. He has managed several finance teams and has worked at all levels within finance departments throughout his career, Hammond said.

Based in Gateshead, England, Hammond Expanders UK supplies Europe, the Middle East and Africa as one of a number of the company’s production facilities delivering speciality chemicals and performance additives to lead acid battery manufacturers around the world.

Steve Barnes, Hammond Expanders UK managing director, said: “Since joining us, Grahame has worked extremely hard to absorb the extensive knowledge and experience that Carolyn developed over her two decades at Hammond.”