Swindon based Hills Quarry Products has added to its 20 strong Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) fleet with the purchase of a powerful and fuel-efficient MAN truck (TGX D38). The new MAN vehicle will be put to use supplying aggregates to Hills’ own network of eight ready-mixed concrete plants, and delivering to customers across the South West.

John Warner, Transport Manager at Hills Quarry Products commented: “At Hills we are committed to running a safe and efficient LGV fleet which offers low operating costs and reliability, whilst providing our drivers with a safe and comfortable working environment. The MAN TGX offers all of that, and the powerful, latest generation D38 engine will help ensure our customers get their aggregates in a timely fashion, whatever the load, whatever the terrain.”

“MAN offered us a TGX demonstrator unit, which was very well received by our driver. With glowing reports about the in-cab experience and weighing up the performance, fuel efficiency, price and the comprehensive maintenance package – the MAN TGX certainly represents good value.”

Hills’ new TGX is powered by MAN’s latest generation 12.4 litre, Euro VI D38SCR engine, producing an impressive 540 hp (316 kW). Linked to this is a silky smooth 12 speed MAN TipMatic® automated gearbox, featuring advanced efficiency and off-road software.

Steve Huntly, Divisional Managing Director at Hills Quarry Products added: “Driving standards and the safety of other road users is a priority for our business, so I’m pleased to see that our investment with the MAN TGX includes advanced features like: Acoustic Turning Warning, Lane Guard Assist and MAN’s Distance Warning System.”

Lee Stoddart, Regional Fleet Sales, South West & South Wales at MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, commented: “I would like to thank John Warner and the Hills Quarry Products team for their continued support in MAN. Our established and trusted relationship gives us a solid understanding of the Hills operation and how our high level of service both adds value to the business and meets their drivers’ needs. I’m convinced this vehicle will serve Hills well, and I look forward to future conversations.”

Hills Waste Solutions has appointed Tula Welsh to the position of Sales Manager. Tula’s promotion follows a successful three and a half years as Key Account Manager, at the Swindon based waste and recycling operator. Tula will start her new role on Monday 02 February.

Speaking about her appointment, Tula said: “I’m excited to step into the role of Sales Manager and to continue building on the fantastic work we’ve achieved with our customers across the South-West. Having worked closely with many of them as a Key Account Manager, I’m passionate about strengthening those relationships and expanding our service offering through our depots and trusted subcontractor network. We have an incredible team of salespeople and key account executives, and I’m looking forward to supporting them in achieving even more together.”

Tula will report to Caroline Wilde, Divisional Director – Commercial & Industrial, who commented: “Tula has been an integral member of our team since joining as Key Account Manager. She has fostered deep customer relationships, offering excellent levels of customer service and industry insight. This has helped customers across a wide variety of industry sectors to improve the efficiency of their waste management and recycling operations, whilst staying ahead of compliance changes.”

Neil Pollard, Divisional Managing Director – Waste Solutions added: “Tula beat a competitive pool of applicants to secure the Sales Manager role, and I am delighted that she will be leading our sales team. She has an impressive track record of business development and given her extensive experience in waste industry, she will play a key role in plans to expand our market presence. I wish her all the best in her new role.”

The Hills Group has donated a total of £1,500 to three local charities this Christmas, continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates. 

 Calne Food Bank, Fairfield College in Westbury and Swindon based homeless charity, Threshold each received a £500 donation, with representatives from the organisations attending a cheque presentation at The Hills Group’s head office on Tuesday 16 December. The event was hosted by The Hills Group Chairman Mike Hill and Chief Executive Ed Dodd. 

 The donations will help each charity continue delivering vital services to people across Wiltshire, particularly during the challenging winter period. 

 Mike Hill, Chairman of The Hills Group, said: 

“Christmas can be an especially difficult time for individuals and families facing hardship. We are proud to support three charities that make such a positive and lasting difference in the towns where we operate and where many of our employees live. Threshold, Calne Food Bank and Fairfield College, Westbury all carry out vital work in our local communities, and we hope these donations help them continue their incredible efforts.” 

 Ed Dodd, Chief Executive of The Hills Group, added: 

“Each of the charities we are supporting this Christmas works tirelessly to help people at vulnerable stages of their lives. We are extremely grateful for the dedication of their staff and volunteers, and we are pleased to play a small part in supporting their important work. Giving back to our local communities remains a core part of who we are as a business.” 

Quotes from the charities: 

 Threshold 

“The £500 generously donated by The Hills Group means a great deal to Threshold — especially at Christmas — as we continue our work to end homelessness in Swindon. With rising rents, soaring living costs and limited access to affordable, decent housing, many local people are at risk of homelessness. We are truly grateful for this support.” 

Helen Edwards, Service Manager, Threshold 

Calne Food Bank 

“Thank you to The Hills Group for their generous donation at such a challenging time of year. This contribution will help us meet increasing demand for our three-day food parcels and relieve the worry and stress faced by local families. As an independent charity, we rely on grants and the goodwill of the community, and this support makes a real difference.” 

Kevin Wells, Chairperson, Calne Food Bank 

Fairfield College, Westbury 

“As a specialist college for young people with learning and physical needs, donations like this allow us to continue providing opportunities for our learners to develop new skills and work towards future independence and employment. We are extremely grateful for the support and for the work experience opportunity Hills gave to one of our students in the summer.” 

Graeme Athey, Principal, Fairfield College 

The Hills Group will continue to work with community organisations throughout 2026 to support projects that benefit local people across Wiltshire and beyond. 

On Wednesday 22 October, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire visited The Hills Group to mark the company’s 125th anniversary. 

Dame Sarah Troughton, representing His Majesty King Charles III, was welcomed by The Hills Group’s Chairman, Mike Hill, and accompanied on a tour of several key sites operated by the Wiltshire-based business, including locations in Lower Compton near Calne, South Cerney, and Swindon. 

The visit began at the Materials Recovery Facility at Sands Farm in Lower Compton. Opened in March 2020 by Hills Waste Solutions, the facility serves nearly a quarter of a million homes across Wiltshire, and is designed to sort and separate up to 52,000 tonnes of dry mixed recycling each year. 

Whilst in the area, Dame Sarah Troughton and Mike Hill viewed the Lower Compton concrete site, operated by Hills Quarry Products, as well as High Penn Park, a 200-home development completed last year by Hills Homes. 

The Lord Lieutenant then toured Cerney Wick Quarry in South Cerney, where she was shown the plant operations and aggregate bagging process. She also learned about Hills Quarry Products’ long-standing restoration partnerships with the Cotswold Lakes Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. 

Travelling past The Paddocks, a smaller Hills development of 53 homes, the visit concluded at Wiltshire House, The Hills Group’s head office in County Park, Swindon. Dame Sarah Troughton was welcomed to the Robert Hills Lounge, where she met members of staff and visited the charity committee’s bake sale in support of Cats Protection. 

The Lord Lieutenant also admired fossils found by archaeologists Sally and Neville Hollingworth, who led three excavations over the years at the Cerney Wick Quarry that uncovered a 200,000-year-old mammoth graveyard. This attracted David Attenborough to the quarry, and led to a BBC documentary. 

The Hills Group was honoured to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, representing His Majesty the King, as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations. Founded in 1900 by a 28-year-old Edward Hill, with a brickworks in Rodbourne, Swindon, the company remains a family-run business today, Mike Hill representing the fourth generation of Hills family involvement. 

“It was an honour to accompany the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, on a tour of some of our sites yesterday, in recognition or the Company’s 125th anniversary since my great-grandfather Edward opened his first brickworks in Morris Street in Swindon.  Dame Sarah fully engaged with all the staff she met and found the trip truly enlightening.  To achieve this milestone and host the King’s representative in the county makes me very proud and is due to the dedication of my forebears and many thousands of loyal employees since Edward first fired up his kiln.” —Mike Hill, Chairman, The Hills Group. 

“My tour of Hills and its different and diverse businesses has been a fascinating experience. As a lay person, I was intrigued to discover what really happens to our rubbish — something most of us never think about and watching the sorting process at the Materials Recovery Facility in Lower Compton was mesmerising. We also visited the beautiful Hills Homes development at High Penn Park in Calne and The Paddocks in Blunsdon. I was particularly interested to see the washing plant at Cerney Wick Quarry, learning how materials are extracted and how quarry restoration partnerships make such a positive impact. My sincere thanks to Mike Hill and everyone at the company for such an informative and inspiring visit.” —Dame Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. 

Hills Waste Solutions’ commercial transport depot at Amesbury, near Salisbury is the latest site to change from diesel to sustainable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – a move which will reduce fuel-related Carbon (CO₂) emissions by up to 90%.

As Nathan Carr, Hills Waste Solutions’ Divisional Fleet Manager commented: “Following the successful introduction of HVO at our Bristol depot, operations from our Amesbury Recyclables Management Facility, will now also be fuelled using HVO.

“Our commercial refuse vehicles servicing the city of Salisbury and the surrounding area, plus our JCB Telehandler and the Liebherr LH24 now use HVO fuel. This change will help contribute to cleaner air for our commercial customers and the residents of Salisbury – and will also create a more pleasant working environment for our employees, who operate the plant and machinery within the facility itself.”

Neil Pollard, Divisional Director –Commercial Waste Management at Hills Waste Solutions added: “Changing to HVO, which is derived from 100% renewable raw materials and sustainable waste, is another example of our commitment to operating sustainably – which already includes route planning to minimise mileage and driver training to ensure that vehicles are driven in a careful manner to help optimise fuel efficiency.”

“This move isn’t just about Hills Waste Solutions; it’s about supporting businesses in the Salisbury area that share our commitment to sustainability. By utilising HVO-powered waste collection vehicles, we’re enabling businesses to reduce their end-to-end environmental impact, not just within their own operations, but as part of their sustainability commitments applied to their supply chain.”

Leading Swindon based company, The Hills Group, has appointed new Managing Directors for its Waste Solutions and Homes divisions. Both successful candidates have been promoted from within the business and will start their roles on 01 May 2025.

Neil Pollard has been promoted from Divisional Director – Commercial, to Divisional Managing Director, Waste Solutions; whilst Mark Tinson has been promoted from Operations Director, to Divisional Managing Director, Homes.

Mike Hill, Chief Executive of The Hills Group commented: “Hills is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2025, so I am reassured that the stewardship and future success of our Waste Solutions and Homes divisions is secure in the hands of Neil and Mark. I would like to congratulate them both on their appointments and wish them all the best in their new roles.”

Neil Pollard said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Divisional Managing Director – Waste Solutions. The next few years promises to be an exciting time for our business – and with the considerable talent and continued hard work of the Waste team, I’m confident we can maximise these opportunities and drive the business forward together.”

Ed Dodd, Deputy Chief Executive of The Hills Group commented on Neil Pollard’s appointment: “When the new role of Divisional Managing Director – Waste Solutions was advertised, it attracted a high calibre of applications, but Neil was the standout candidate given the positive impact he has had on our commercial operations, his industry knowledge and his vision for the future growth of our business.”

Mark Tinson, commented on his appointment: “There will no doubt be new challenges and opportunities ahead, but the guidance that retiring Group Director Nick King has given me, over the last three years make me feel that I am well prepared to meet them head on.”

Nick King added: “I am delighted and reassured that after 30 years involvement with Hills, since building the first Hills Home, I am handing over the reins to Mark’s very capable hands. He has shown in his role as Operations Director, a focus and commitment to quality, which I am sure will help the business push forward in the coming years.”

The appointments of Neil and Mark completes a reorganisation of the senior leadership team at Hills which saw Steve Huntly join Hills Quarry Products as Divisional Managing Director in November 2024, following the retirement of long-serving Group Director Pete Andrew.

Hills Quarry Products has once again delayed the opening of all its sites on the first day back to work in the new year, to allow employees to participate in health and safety training.

Dedicating the first day back at work to focus on health and safety matters began back in 2016, and remains an important part of the company’s ongoing ‘Safer for All’ campaign. The training sessions were held across operational sites in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Dorset, and Devon – where Hills operates sand and gravel quarries and ready-mixed concrete production plants.

Steve Huntly, Divisional Managing Director Hills Quarry Products, said: “By starting the new year with these training sessions, we are reinforcing our philosophy that health and safety will always be a top priority and we will continue to deliver improvements in employee safety and wellbeing.”

Kicking off the training with a personal message from Steve Huntly, the sessions highlighted a number of key areas of health and safety performance including – the ongoing need for proactive near miss reporting, the importance of situational awareness around plant and machinery, and culminated with each team walking around their own site to identify any potential hazards.

Steve added: “I am encouraged that our operational teams have once again committed to prioritise health and safety for the year ahead. The training sessions have been undertaken with enthusiasm and a collaborative approach which will help ensure that we keep Hills’ sites Safer for All.”

Ben Harman, CEO at Threshold commented: “Christmas can be a particularly difficult time if you are facing homelessness, but thanks to the generous donation from The Hills Group and all our incredible supporters, we can continue to provide a safe place to live, and personalised support to people who are homeless every day of the year.”

As a family business with strong core values, The Hills Group actively supports local charities, groups and causes throughout the year with direct funding and support through the Landfill Communities Fund where applicable.

Mike Hill, Chief Executive, The Hills Group said: “We pride ourselves on the support we give to a wide range of charities every year. We hope that these donations help Threshold Housing Link, Julia’s House, and Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service to
continue the amazing services they all provide.”

Hills Quarry Products’ has continued its mineral partnership with the Wellcome Trust and Urban & Civic plc – entering into a long term agreement for sand and gravel extraction at the former RAF airfield site near Down Ampney, Gloucestershire.

The agreement for the 178 hectare Airfield Quarry site with reserves of c. 6.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel, will create around 50 jobs directly, plus generate work for other local businesses, and inject up to £2m per year into the local economy.
The site will include an aggregate processing plant, a concrete plant and a bagging operation with the associated infrastructure of silt lagoons, offices, welfare facilities, wheel wash and weigh-bridge

Peter Andrew, Development Consultant, Hills Quarry Products said: “We are delighted to have secured an agreement on the Airfield Quarry site. It has taken a tremendous team effort between Hills and Urban & Civic to get to this stage, and we do not underestimate our responsibility, having been entrusted with the management and restoration of this important historical site through the phased extraction of essential minerals.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Lesley Loane and the team at Land and Mineral Management whose help has been invaluable throughout the planning process. Inline with the planning permission, we can now commence the first steps on-site, with the continuation of archaeological surveys, followed by the installation of site infrastructure and plant later in the year.”

Adam Pratt, development director at Urban&Civic, commented: “Down Ampney continues to make a significant contribution to the resilience of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire’s mineral supplies. The Airfield is the next phase of extraction on the estate, and we are delighted to be extending Urban&Civic’s working partnership with Hills.”

Swindon-based business, The Hills Group, has embraced its festive spirit by donating to three local charities, in place of sending out Christmas cards this year.

Threshold Housing Link, Julia’s House, and Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service were welcomed to Hills’ head office in Swindon and presented with £250 each for their respective charities for the second consecutive year.

Business Development and Corporate Fundraiser for Julia’s House, Jo Common said: “Here at Julia’s House, we receive just eight per cent funding from the Government, so really do rely on public support and donations to continue to provide our critical care to the most seriously ill children and their families in the local community. Without that support we wouldn’t exist. We are therefore so grateful for this wonderful donation from Hills Group – as donations like this one are vital in enabling us to continue to provide a lifeline of care to the increasing number of local families who rely on us.”

Collecting the donation on behalf of Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, Kate Rowland, Interim CEO, Swindon Women’s Aid said: “Swindon Women’s Aid were delighted to learn that we were once again chosen to be a recipient of a donation from The Hills Group. Kind donations such as this genuinely make such a difference and will be used to support our work with children and young people impacted by domestic abuse, and our work to prevent abuse happening in the future.”

The Hills Group is delighted to announce that Steve Huntly has been appointed to the new position of Divisional Managing Director – Quarry Products.

Steve will join the company on Monday 04 November and will oversee all aspects of Hills Quarry Products’ business including its seven sand and gravel quarry sites and eight ready-mixed concrete plants supplying the Southwest region.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve Huntly said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Hills Quarry Products, which is such a well-respected business in the industry with a successful track record. It is an exciting time of change to be coming on board the business – and I look forward to meeting the whole team later in the year and working with them to drive revenue growth and business development.”

Steve enjoyed a long career with Cemex which culminated in his appointment as Regional Managing Director for their Southern Region. He then moved into several other leadership roles including General Manager – South, for Saint Gobain, and most recently as Managing Director for Coram UK.

Congratulating Steve on his appointment, Mike Hill, Chief Executive of The Hills Group said: “Steve will bring extensive experience to the position of Divisional Managing Director – Quarry Products, having held a number of senior leadership roles in different industries throughout his career. We look forward to welcoming Steve into the business.”

Steve’s appointment follows the news that popular industry figure Pete Andrew, will be retiring from his role as Group Director – Quarry Products at the end of 2024, after 25 years of service. Pete will remain engaged with Hills in an advisory capacity.

Pete Andrew reflected: “It has been an honour and a privilege working with the talented and dedicated team within Hills Quarry Products. I would also like to extend my genuine thanks to the Hill family, whose welcome some 25 years ago and subsequent support over the years has been much appreciated.

“I look back with pride at the success and growth Hills Quarry Products has achieved during my tenure, through securing and extending new quarry sites, establishing new business partnerships and expanding our network of ready-mixed concrete plants. I look forward to welcoming Steve to the business and working together to ensure a smooth handover.”