Head of Engineering, Paper & Packaging
Mark Exton
Joined as Engineering Manager
April 2021
Promoted to Head of Engineering
May 2025 - Projects and Facilities added to roles and responsibilities.
With over 25 years of experience in Engineering, Projects and Facilities Management, I’ve been hands-on with tools since childhood. My father still runs a repair and servicing garage, and rather than a silver spoon, I was (allegedly) born with a spanner in my mouth! That early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for engineering, problem-solving, and making things work.
JS
Tell us about your role at James Cropper and a typical day
ME
No two days are the same. I work closely with the site facilities team, covering building repairs, the canteen, and cleaning services, while also ensuring the smooth operation of our paper mill machinery and assets through our planned maintenance system. We handle between 350 and 450 job cards weekly, ranging from scheduled maintenance to reactive tasks. I also collaborate with the Projects team to identify future CAPEX opportunities and develop innovative ways to keep our assets running efficiently.
JS
What is your most memorable highlight?
ME
One standout moment was the installation of Boiler 3 and the new gas compressor, key milestones in improving the efficiency and reliability of our boiler house. The old compressor had been a persistent issue for years, so resolving it brought much-needed stability to our power and steam generation. While there’s still work to do, this investment marked a major step forward.
JS
What work are you particularly proud of at James Cropper?
ME
In recent years, we’ve faced significant reductions in both engineering staff and budget. Despite these challenges, the team has risen to the occasion, solving long-standing issues, leveraging in-house expertise, and delivering smart, cost-effective solutions. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this team. Their knowledge, resilience, and commitment are the backbone of our success.
JS
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
ME
• A pallet of duct tape – the ultimate tool for fixing, building, and improvising.
• A Gerber multi-tool – hands down the best brand.
• A solar-powered MP3 player loaded with 80s hits – perfect soundtracking for the construction of my duct tape condo.
• A Gerber multi-tool – hands down the best brand.
• A solar-powered MP3 player loaded with 80s hits – perfect soundtracking for the construction of my duct tape condo.
JS
What’s your guilty pleasure?
ME
Gaming. I help run a large PC gaming community with over 7,000 members. It’s a vibrant, active group, and there’s nothing like diving into another world on a rainy day.
JS
What is your favourite colour and why?
ME
Heliotrope, a vibrant pink-purple inspired by the heliotrope flower. It features in a song by the Jackalope in Pixar’s short Boundin’. It might seem like an unusual choice, but it was one of my son’s favourites growing up. That simple story of overcoming adversity and embracing change has always stuck with me.