To run one specialist business is a challenge – but how about running a second that has a long and proud history at the same time?
Last month, the chief executive of engineering and technology company Delkia announced he and Rebecca Canfield, owner of the wine and spirits company Wine and the Wood, had taken on the historic Jennings brewery site with the intention of resuming brewing in Cockermouth.
Life for Kurt Canfield just got even busier so how does he relax and what advice does this Cumbrian business leader offer to others keen to follow in his foosteps?
He’s been talking to Business Crack’s Nigel Thompson.
In 2024, Delkia recorded a turnover of over £11 million – this year the specialist engineering and technology company is forecasting turnover will double, great news for the 140 people who work at what must be one of the county’s fastest growing companies.
Based in West Cumbria but with a footprint of activity that extends all over the North West, the company is bidding to become the UK’s leading engineering and technology partner for safety-related and mission-critical systems.
Resilience and safety in the defence and nuclear industry is vital and Delkia’s expertise when it comes to designing and building systems able to withstand the challenges of daily operation and the external interference is in demand.
At Delkia’s head office at Westlakes Science Park, near Whitehaven, Kurt sets out the company’s increase in scale in a competitive sector.
“In 2019 we restructured the business focussing on making and engineering technical solutions for our clients working in highly regulated industries,” Kurt said.
“The growth in turnover has been significant – from a £250,000 in 2019 to around £12m in December 2024. This year, our projection is around £24m, effectively doubling the business year-on-year.”
In 2022, Delkia opened an office in Preston to serve their growing defence business, with a focus on services to aerospace and maritime sectors.
The recent acquisition of SyntheSys Defence Systems, known for providing tactical secure communications networks and data links, has helped Delkia further expand into the defence sector.
The company itself receives takeover bids from other firms, a side effect of being identified as a high growth business.
“We’re approached on a regular basis but if you have something you truly believe in as part of UK plc, you hold to your vision and drive through,” Kurt told Business Crack.
The SyntheSys deal means the company is bidding for work in Germany, Denmark and Norway which may well add to international work for a major international defence.
Last year, Delkia showcased the company’s Dragonfly programme at Farnborough 2024.
An innovative project to develop uncrewed air-systems and advanced air mobility prototypes could offer cost-effective and low carbon solutions to replace some of the tasks currently performed by larger, more costly aircraft.
Even the pandemic did not hold the company back.
“We were really fortunate in terms of the pandemic that we won our largest project in February 2020 which sustained work through a period of real challenge,” Kurt said.
“We were also really fortunate that a digital cloud system was in place just before lockdown as part of our investment in growth which meant most staff could home work. This investment in infrastructure helped when it came to the adaptability of the team.”
The former Sellafield apprentice was born and bred in West Cumbria and despite time in the US, Dubai and Singapore is rooted in the county.
“I’ve always had a connection to the Lakes which is – on a good day – the most beautiful place in the world,” Kurt says.
2025 is shaping up to be another big year for the firm.
As well adding another 35 to the roughly 135 headcount, apprentices are also being recruited in project management, digital marketing, engineering and business administration.
“Recruitment is a bit of a challenge because we’re catching up on a 15-20 year gap in investing in the skills we need,” Kurt said.
A twin approach to tackling the issue is being taken. As employees become eligible for retirement their rich seam of knowledge is mined to form digital case studies to ensure their expertise is not lost.
Centres of excellence are also being created to mirror where customers are based.
“In 2025 we’ll also be expanding our facilities to open a 20,000sq ft facility at Haydock to accommodate future growth,” Kurt said adding that a training and development hub will also be opened in Preston.
“We’re trying to underpin the Northern Powerhouse focus. There’s lots going on in the North which is really positive. For me the future looks bright.”
Eight things you never knew about Kurt Canfield
How do you relax?
My idea of a good weekend includes seeing family and friends and taking my two Newfoundland dogs out for a walk.
This year I aim to get out into the fresh air even more and play a lot of golf. Work-life balance is really important and I’m not sure I’ve quite cracked it yet!
I am also enjoy supporting local heritage through community-based projects that protect our shared history and heritage for future generations.
Do you have a favourite place in Cumbria?
The top of Scafell Pike on a good day!
Where did you last go on holiday to?
Just before Christmas I took the family to Austria for a bit of sightseeing around Salzberg, where the Sound of Music was filmed.
We had a fantastic time enjoying walks, visiting castles and five Christmas markets. I particularly enjoyed the gluhwein with Amaretto, and having a go at ice-skating with my daughter.
Which team or sport do you support?
I support any British driver or team in Formula 1, particularly Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. I was also part of the Great British Team for Jujitsu when I was a teenager.
Who is your mentor?
Delkia’s Chairman, Neil Longfellow, is my current mentor.
Not only does he have a broad range of key skills, with a deep understanding of the nuclear sector across the world, but his key attributes are leadership, strategy, and stakeholder management. He has also worked with governments in the UK and internationally.
I’ve also enjoyed being a past mentor to other people through the government backed Be the Business initiative and supported a range of start-up businesses.
What do you love about your job?
I love that every day is different and that I work with a team with a shared vision.
Together we are building the engineering and technology capacity for UK plc.
Does money motivate you?
No. I am driven by the ability to make a difference and develop teams.
I get great satisfaction from looking back at the growth, achievements and progress we have made in adding value and solving problems.
What advice would you give to your younger self or someone looking to follow your career path?
- Speak less, listen more.
- Don’t believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.
- Surround yourself with diverse people and thinking, which means you need to keep expanding your network.
- Try to find reasons to say yes, rather than saying no.
