Colin Naylor: Four-Decade Journey in the Lifting Industry
Spotlight on Colin Naylor
Head of Lifting at Brandon Hire Station
With nearly 40 years in the lifting industry, Colin Naylor has led major growth across Lloyds British, Speedy, LGH, and now Brandon Hire Station. His career spans strategic leadership, operational excellence, and the re-establishment of key market players.
Few people grow up dreaming of a career in lifting, but for Colin Naylor, the industry has offered four decades of growth, innovation, and leadership in a field that keeps the world’s infrastructure, industry, and progress moving safely.
Colin began his journey in the late 1980s on a trainee scheme at Lloyds British. From that early foundation, he built a career defined by strategic leadership and a deep understanding of the rental and service sectors of the lifting industry. His roles have consistently centred around development, operations, and growth both in terms of businesses and people.
Spending 15 years at Lloyds British, Colin eventually became part of Speedy when they acquired the lifting division. His next 15 years at Speedy saw him rise through the ranks, eventually leading Speedy Lifting across the UK. Under his direction, the division grew through acquisition and organic expansion into a £70 million entity, solidifying its place as the UK’s number one provider of lifting and material handling solutions for more than two decades.
In 2010, Colin relocated from his native North East to Cheshire to support the broader growth of Speedy’s operations, later taking on wider responsibilities beyond lifting, across different product groups and geographies.
Not one to rest on past success, he later led the re-launch of LGH (Lifting Gear Hire) into the UK market. Now, as Head of Lifting at Brandon Hire Station, Colin’s focus is once again on building from the ground up this time to establish Brandon Hire Station as a credible and recognisable lifting equipment provider across the UK.
“This industry may not always be visible, but it’s essential. Everything that moves, gets lifted, gets held, gets built it relies on the principles of lifting. There’s huge opportunity for young people to build rewarding careers in this sector.”
Colin’s story highlights how a career in lifting isn’t just about chains and cranes it’s about leadership, safety, innovation, and building infrastructure that makes modern life possible. As the industry looks to attract new talent, his journey serves as a reminder that the lifting sector may be hidden but it is full of possibilities for those ready to rise.
