Ideal Heating bids farewell to long-serving leaders

A Hull-based heating manufacturer is marking the retirement of two long-serving senior leaders whose combined service spans nearly a century.

Ideal Heating has announced the departure of chief information officer John Glanville and HR director Debbie Skalli, who together have contributed 90 years to the company. 

John, who joined in 1977 as a computer operator, went on to shape Ideal’s entire technology strategy, leading major shifts from early mobile communications to cloud systems and artificial intelligence. 

His career saw him progress to IT Manager, work across Europe, and ultimately guide large-scale IT programmes under different ownerships.

John said: “In my interview, I was asked to load a tape into one of the computer room tape drives. I failed the test! 

“Luckily, they looked beyond that, saw something in me, and I got the job in the computer operations department.

“I was fascinated by technology and problem solving and have been very fortunate throughout my career to have been involved in some amazing advancements and innovations. 

“This job has also taken me to America, India, Belgium, France and beyond. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

John added: “I’ve seen so many milestones – from staff receiving mobile phones, and the introduction of cloud-based IT, to more recently the introduction of AI.

“Whenever I’m asked what has kept me here for almost 50 years, it’s a really simple answer – it’s the people. 

“The people I’ve worked with have been amazing and I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their support and guidance over the years.

“I’ve been blessed to work with fantastic people, and I will miss them all greatly.”

Debbie, who joined the company through its health and safety team, built a 41-year career supporting colleague development and helping maintain Ideal’s long-established people-focused culture. 

Her roles spanned health and safety, learning and development and HR, and included responsibility for the apprenticeship scheme.

Debbie added: “Ideal Heating was a very different place when I joined the company.

“Back in my early days, the company was just focused on boilers. 

“We had two foundries and associated machine shops, making cast iron and aluminium castings, a large steel press plant, assembly lines with overhead conveyors, a blacksmiths shop and crate-makers.

“Over 40 years, the shape of our business has changed. 

“Significant investment has been made on site, transforming the working environment. 

“When you look at our product portfolio today, and the technologies we now have across the Groupe Atlantic UK Division, it really has been a remarkable evolution.

“John and myself have been a small part of the story at Ideal, but we’ve seen some of the biggest changes in the company’s history.”

She added: “My time at Ideal Heating has, quite simply, been a lot of fun. 

“My career has been diverse and this is a business that never stands still so it is always interesting, challenging and rewarding.

“In the end though, it is the people I have worked with that have kept me here. 

“I have worked with a very special team of people and wish them all the very best for the future.”

Both will be succeeded by internal promotions, with Barry Dixon stepping into the chief information officer role and Miriam Moore appointed as the new HR director, reflecting Ideal Heating’s commitment to nurturing talent and supporting progression into leadership roles.

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