MALTON COACHWORKS
Meet the
Team
The people who bring classic vehicles back to life. Skilled, experienced, and as passionate about these cars as you are.
5
IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENTS
100+
MARQUES RESTORED
16
YEARS ESTABLISHED
1
SITE. ONE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
All the team
CEO
James Szkiler
Vision & strategy
Having always been around classic cars, and as a young boy seeing his father set the business up in Huddersfield during the early 1990’s, it was no surprise he would one day be involved in the family business. To support his A Level studies and later BA Hons Degree in Business Management at York, James, in his late teens, began valeting cars on a part-time basis but within months began selling, finding customer engagement highly rewarding. Having graduated from University, the plan wasn’t to go into the classic car business, sights were set on Financial Management, but he was offered a full-time sales position. Twelve months later, at 23 years old, in early 2006, James was given the opportunity to take running control of the business and has never looked back.
Since taking running control of the business in 2006, the Company have sold over £100 Million worth of classic cars and he has lead the growth of the business, setting up Malton Coachworks Bodyshop in 2010, an eight bay Mechanical Workshop in 2014, Trim Shop in 2017 and Storage Department in early 2021. James has built a strong management team right across the business, and has overseen the Company grow from an employer of six people to around forty. James, with the help of his team, has taken the business from £2M per annum sales to over £12M, and the next exciting development project is never too far away.
James has a real passion for business growth and development, and is a hands-on CEO working closely with all department managers. He still loves being involved in the sales department, and enjoys close key relationships with many of his clients across the globe. James loves being busy out of work spending time with his wife and two young children, travelling, skiing, driving his own classics, and is a passionate football supporter.
CHAIRMAN
Nick Szkiler
Vision & strategy
Nick Szkiler, our company’s founder has more than 45 years’ experience in the motor industry with several manufacturers and franchises.
Prior to setting up the company in 1991, Nick was a Jaguar Land Rover dealer principal. He remains keenly involved in Classic Car activity and business development.
His other interests include trusteeship of several charities. He is a keen light aircraft pilot, and his hobbies include classic motorcycling and attending events on the ‘vintage scene’.
FINANCE MANAGER
Sue Whitham
Sue is our trusted Finance Manager for both Classic and Sportscar Centre and Malton Coachworks, and as the business has progressed, her own duties have. Sue has been with us since 2014 and her position encompasses not just the accounts role but involvement in HR, Recruitment, Policies and Procedures. Sue finds the role challenging and absorbing and enjoys being part of the team and seeing the business grow and develop.
Sue has always had an interest in cars and qualifies as a true petrol head having owned 5 Alfa Romeos, although she finds it disconcerting when the cars you remember from your teens are now considered classics! Sue enjoys her short breaks away and spends her spare time walking (particularly in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District), and also enjoys photography, cooking and days out with friends.
RESTORATION MANAGER
Mike Francis
Mike joined Malton Coachworks as Bodyshop Manager in April 2022. He started his career as a mechanical engineer, having completed his apprenticeship in coachbuilding at Pocklington Coachworks. There, he would prepare and build Formula 1 hospitality units. Next, Mike took his engineering skills into railway coachbuilding and spent much of the next 20 years in Europe. Later in his career, he became responsible for accepting and buying trains for one of the leading consultancies in the world.
Now at Classic & Sportscar within Malton Coachworks… It’s Mike’s job to push the business to where we need to be to keep up with growing demand while maintaining our quality and reputation.
Mike’s hobbies align perfectly with his career – as he said in a recent interview for our website; “Anything with two wheels, basically”. His bikes are not stowed away, Mike enjoys using them – from racing his Honda C90 on Teeside Karting track to rallying his 1200 Triumph… These bikes are USED.
TRIM MANAGER
Joe Sawyer
Joe leads our interior trimshop and has a brought a new dimension to this department as an innovator with a passion for bringing new designs for those customers who require something different or unique in their car interior. Joe can be seen carrying out bespoke Land Rover Defender re-trims to your typical classic car interior with experience working on many Jaguar E-Type’s over recent years and a whole host of other luxury marques to include Aston Martin, Bentley & Ferrari.
Joe comes from a background of building work and almost stumbled into working on modern car interiors when he was 18 years old. He built up his experience over 8 years before joining Malton Coachworks where he was able to adapt that skill to classic car interiors. Joe has a passion for football and plays as much as he can (played for Sheffield Wednesday at Youth Level), he’s a Manchester United fan as are all his family, he love dogs and has a gorgeous little cockapoo called Minnie.
STORES MANAGER
James Knight
James joined us our Stores Department as a Team Leader and has been responsible for creating this new department that has given our service departments increased efficiency and an improved level of parts, consumables, and materials stock. Along with the growth of Malton Coachworks, the Parts department has expanded as James stepped up to become the Parts Manager in 2025. The management and control of parts has become even more crucial as the business continues to grow. James has spent over ten years in the motor trade, working up from a Sales Advisor to Branch Manager before seeking a new challenge. Cars were the chosen career for James, for as long as he can remember he’s been fascinated by anything with an engine. James has a natural flare for customer service which led him into the motor trade as a sales advisor, combining his passions and skills.James is a true car fanatic, and in his own words…
I grew up with classics cars, my Dad had a Triumph Herald from when I was very young, I used to “help” whenever I could as he restored it. He also had a beautifully restored VW Westfalia Bay in which we had many a cramped family holiday, and he currently has a stunning Austin Maxi. When I was 16, we bought a Mini from a local scrapper with the intention to restore it as my first car. One rot hole led to another and we ended up finding a 1980 Russet Brown Mini Clubman Estate in much better shape for sensible money. We restored it together in the garage and slapped some L plates on it and away I went, I passed my test and before long I was looking at classic to call my own! Two Hillman Imps and thousands of miles later, I was at University studying Design for Digital Media and in a much more mundane and boring modern car. But that little brown mini never left my Dads Garage. Fast forward to 2022, my parents had moved up north and the mini was sitting in borrowed storage space, my T25 project had stalled with the amount of welding it needed (and maybe a totally unneeded engine conversion) so I decided to go dig the clubby out and get it on the road, as usual, the welding was twice what was expected but after a few weekends and evening of grafting later and its once again on the road and will be for as long as I can keep it there! To me, cars can be much more than a means of transport, they create memories, hold stories and steal hearts, this little brown car is a part of who I am and the story I have, and I think many people have the same link to their cars. It’s even on Instagram @thatbrownclubbyestate
MARKETING MANAGER
Jamie Flinton
After studying for a BA in Graphic Design Jamie worked for a creative design studio in Malton for 10 years designing and printing murals for hospitals around the UK, He eventually became project manager where he oversaw a team of designers and mural fitters. After a decade he decided he wanted a job in a field he enjoys: Cars. Jamie has had 3 Volkswagen mk2 Sciroccos & is currently on the completion side of restoring his much loved low mileage 1991 Scirocco GT2 Jamie has always been interested in finding out how things work and finding ways to improve them, even if that means breaking them first. He enjoys playing with microelectronics in his spare time. He chose Malton Coachworks as he always preferred classic cars to modern, joining the parts department meant he could be involved with the problem-solving part of parts procurement. He has an eye for detail and design which works hand in hand with classic car restoration.
SERVICE MANAGER
Laura Nicholson
Laura joined the Malton Coachworks Workshop team in 2025 as the Service Manager. Following a career of 13 years in the motor trade, where she started out as a Junior Service Advisor she has gained skills and experience in Main Dealerships with her most recent position being a Service Manager dealing with both cars and commercial vehicles.
With a great appreciation for the diversity and history of cars, Laura enjoys the challenges and opportunities that present dealing with a stock profile spanning over 10 decades of motoring history. Outside of the office, Laura enjoys photography, the outdoors, and travelling to explore new cities on a weekend getaway.
WORKSHOP CONTROLLER
Adam Bates
Adam joined the Company after many years of service in the vintage aviation industry. Adam was responsible for maintaining and restoring classic aircrafts and after five years moved his career onto modern aviation, working for Marshall Aerospace assembling extended range fuel systems for various military air force. After several years working for Marshall Aerospace, Adam moved to Doncaster Airport where he worked on a new project developing and modifying surveillance aircraft.
Having gained extensive aviation industry experience and a diploma in Engineering, Adam decided to pursue a career in another major interest and hobby, working with classic and modern cars. This is when Adam joined the business in 2021 and enjoys learning new skills each day and working on an eclectic range of vehicles. Through 5 years with the company gaining key skills and knowledge of the classic car industry, Adam has stepped up to the position of Workshop Controller. Outside of work Adam enjoys mountain biking, travelling, attending race events, and watching air shows.
HR EXECUTIVE
Becky Williamson
Becky joined Malton Coachworks in October 2024 to face a new challenge following 20 years’ service at one company having held various positions across Accounts, Payroll, and HR. The appeal of Malton Coachworks came from the outstanding reputation and being a family run business so close to home.
In her spare time, Becky enjoys planning family holidays and spending quality time with her nearest and dearest.
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Darryl Stewart
WORKSHOP
riginally from Scarborough, Darryl has broad and interesting experience that makes him a great fit for the ever-changing environment of classic car restorations. Darryl has spent 10 years as a dental technician, 6 years an aircraft engineer, 3 years a HGV driver, and then 2 years as a Quarry operative.
Darryl has always worked on his own cars and enjoys a challenge. He has owned classic and modern VWs, and a Mazda RX7. His current project and hobby vehicle is his VW T4 with a 1.8T Leon Cupra engine.
When Darryl is not elbow-deep in engines, he enjoys flying model aircrafts, spending time with his son and partner, and camping in his VW T4.
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Peter Robson MSc
WORKSHOP
With over 45 years’ experience of engine building and car restoration, Peter can describe his involvement with cars and engineering as a passion.
Peter has designed and built cars for various types of motor sport from rallying to hill-climb and drag racing and enjoys the challenge of producing a machine that not only works well but is elegant in design and pleasing to the eye.
His philosophy for tuning vehicles is that you never win by copying the other guy, so you need to innovate and use science and engineering to produce a superior vehicle.
Peter has designed and built engines for hot-rods and hill-climb cars, producing class wins and best ever times for historic vehicles, whilst maintaining the historic style and appearance. During his many years of service within our business, he has carried out major rebuilds on vehicles to include a Jaguar E-Type Series One Roadster, De Tomaso Pantera and Aston Martin DB6.
In his spare time Peter enjoy walking, watching wildlife, following scientific progress, and of course restoring classic cars.
SENIOR TECHNICIAN
Tim Smith
WORKSHOP
In 1992 Tim started his apprenticeship in a local independent garage, Aucklands Garage where he gained his City & Guilds certificate in levels 1, 2 & 3 in Repair and Servicing light vehicles. Moving his career on, Tim went to work at a main Ford dealership where he progressed to become a Master Technician.
Tim proudly was one of the first in the country to qualify at the highest level available within the Ford Dealer Network. In 2016 Tim wanted to broaden his knowledge in his true secret love of classic cars and joined our workshop at Malton Coachworks where he does everything from general servicing to major full restoration. Tim has a huge passion for the full restoration projects which really bring joy into his working life, seeing cars coming in bare shells and see them leaving as roadworthy works of art.
In his spare time Tim enjoys going on holiday and spending quality time with his wife and son. He also enjoys watching the F1 racing and would love to go and see the Monaco or Abu Dhabi grand prix.
SERVICE ADVISOR
Emma Sollit
BODYSHOP
Emma started at Malton Coachworks in September 2021 as a Service Advisor and duties vary immensely from answering the telephone, dealing with customers, stock taking, ordering parts and anything else she can help with. Prior to starting at Malton Coachworks Emma was a stay at home parent for seven years and after the Covid 19 outbreak she decided to find a job to help with her mental wellbeing.
Emma is pleased to say Malton Coachworks has helped immensely and she goes from strength to strength in her capabilities and support to the various departments. Emma had no knowledge of the car industry before commencing her employment with us, but now with the help of all the staff she is learning more about cars every day. Emma has always enjoyed looking at classic cars from afar but now can get up close to them and see how they really work.
Emma finds everyone here to be friendly and forthcoming with their knowledge and is regularly reminded that no question is a silly question. Emma’s aim is to progress within the company in the future.
Outside of work Emma enjoys spending time with her daughter and pet dog. Emma is also a Volunteer at a local cub group and is on the board of trustees at the local village hall to assist and help giving back to the community, providing a better future for the younger generation.
BODYSHOP TEAM LEAD
Martin Ignamells
BODYSHOP
Martin has spent over 36 years working within the motor trade, turning his hand to various roles relating to all bodywork and mechanical aspects along the way. Self-described as a perfectionist taking a great deal of pride in his craft, Martin strives to achieve the best job possible for the benefit of our customers, and of course the Company.
Qualifications include Senior Panel ATA and Senior M.E.T ATA so as result came to the Company with a wealth of experience. In Martin’s words, downtime is enjoyed spending time with his wonderful wife, daughter, friends, and family, and often this is in the form of scouring hidden antique shops and auction rooms for items that can be added to the family’s eclectic collection.
Martin can be often found outside of work busy on an ongoing home renovation, enjoying himself in the kitchen showing off his culinary skills to entertain guests, playing the electric guitar, walking the cliff tops of the East Coast, and if failing that, he can be often seen in the tattooist chair.
TECHNICIAN
Andrew Farn
WORKSHOP
Andrew started his career at BMW as an apprentice and soon passed his course making him on of the youngest technicians for the group. Throughout his time at BMW he excelled quickly and became one of the youngest senior technicians in the group also.Having proved himself on the luxury German brand, Andrew made a move to Land Rover as a senior technician and later Ford.
Andrew has a proven track record of mastering his craft and midway through 2024 he decided it was time for a new challenge and came to Malton Coachworks to experience being in a workshop with classic cars.As a fast ford fan, it makes sense that Andrews dream car is a MKII Ford Escort RS1600 which he got the pleasure of working on and driving within his first month with us.
Outside of work Andrew enjoys wild camping trips with his friends and building computers.
TECHNICIAN
Brett Tarrant
WORKSHOP
Having grown up locally, in Scarborough, Bretts first job was an apprenticeship in a garage in Burniston where he gained his Motor Vehicle Qualification. Following his apprenticeship, Brett gained 10 years’ experience as an on site welder, developing his engineering skills.
Travelling has always been an interest of Bretts, most notably taking a year out travelling Australia working while he was there. In Aus, Brett worked for a coachbuilding company and also held various mechanical, and engineering jobs as he travelled.
Upon coming back to the UK, Brett moved back to Scarborough where he started work at a local coachbuilders as a mechanical technician. Following 4 years, Brett joined the workshop team here at Malton Coachworks where he is able to use his wide skillset to repair and maintain classic cars.
TRIMMER
Gavin Wing
TRIMSHOP
Gavin has been part of the team for several years now and joined as we began expanding our trim department. Gavin comes from an upholstery background working with companies such as Quality Furniture and Withan, before getting the opportunity of working for Malton Coachworks.
We have seen Gavin progress within the business and develop his owns skills by taking a classic trim restoration course enabling him to use modern technology to match original colour leather ahead of a professional re-colour treatment.
Gavin enjoys family time on the weekend with his wife and children, and when he does get the opportunity for some free time he enjoys a round of Golf.
APPRENTICE TECHNICIAN
Jack Taverner
WORKSHOP
Jack joined us in 2023. He started his career in 2017 working with animals at a dog day care centre. In 2022, he then went on to work at a small garage before landing a job restoring ex-military Land Rover Defenders. So, Jack has plenty of experience fixing sick puppies, be it 4 legs or 4 wheels.Jack’s father was a mechanic, and he taught Jack to fix his own car at a young age. When we took notes for this staff profile, Jack said “I’ve always had a great interest in classic cars, and so this is my dream job“.
Away from work, you may already know Jack – he is club secretary of York and Ryedale MG Owners Club. Can you guess his hobby? Of course – driving and working on his own classic 1970 MG Midget. Jack also enjoys photography and travelling.
TECHNICIAN
Jared Mason
WORKSHOP
From leaving school, Jared took an apprenticeship in the motor trade and has been a motor vehicle technician ever since. Building up a wealth of experience and skills, Jared specialised in prestige modern vehicles working with the likes of supercars, performance saloons, and luxury SUVs.
If Jared was to own any of his cars again, his 1st MK1 escort would be making an appearance in his as his favourite of the 3 he has owned for the sentimental value. Although, for outright performance, a Mercedes C63 AMG would be right next to it. While driving fast would go hand in hand with a performance saloon, on the weekends, Jared enjoys taking things slowly on adventures in his Campervan.
COACHBUILDER
Jim Smith
BODYSHOP
Very early in Jim’s life he spent lots of time working on his own motorbikes from the age of 10 and continues to ride and maintain his prized possessions. In addition to bikes, Jim has maintained his own cars over the years whilst balancing the bike racing with Model RC car racing and spending time with his Wife and Son.
As well as being a very talented fitter, Jim can turn his hand to many areas of the Motor Trade having had great experience working with leather and trim. It was the amazing team and the pride of delivering quality work on brilliant cars that drew Jim to joining Malton Coachwokrs. The icing on the cake for Jim would be to one day have a Nissan GTR to drive to work in.
APPRENTICE STORESMAN
Josh Wilkinson
STORES DEPT
Josh began his career Malton Coachworks in May 2025, taking on an apprenticeship within our Parts team. Working everyday researching and learning more about what keeps classic cars running allowed Josh to carry over his enjoyment of attending classic cars show into his work life.
With the goal of owning a BMW M3 E30 one day, and having a classic car project of his own, Josh is happy to be in a growing business learning all about what goes into a great restoration. When he’s not at car shows, Josh enjoys being outdoors with a club in his hand taking on his local golf course.
PAINTER
Lukasz Stelmach
BODYSHOP
Lukazs has been spray painting cars for over 25 years. After completing his miliary service in Poland, he served his apprenticeship in a Nissan dealership near Krakow before moving to the UK in 2005. Initially Lukazs was working in modern car Bodyshop’s, firstly in London, then a move north to Glasgow. In 2008 he moved to Manchester where he was painting prestige cars such as Ferrari and Bentley and more recently has re-located to North Yorkshire.
Classic cars are a great fit for Lukasz, he enjoys the challenge of colour matching and the process of restoration as no two classics are the same. He settled in very quickly with us and when not at work, Lukazs enjoys DIY, riding his bike along the North Yorkshire Coast and family walks with his dog on the beach. Lukazs also plays various instruments and loves spending time with his two children.
FABRICATOR
Mike Foster
BODYSHOP
Mike is a highly skilled and experienced welder from Capetown, South Africa with UK roots that has seen him re-locate to England for the second time. He is a welder boiler maker by trade and has a huge wealth of experience enabling him to adapt perfectly to working on vehicle metal work.
Before coming to the UK, Mike was carrying out coded welding for the offshore industry and with a huge passion for cars, particularly classic European cars and racing cars, he was delighted to join the team at our Bodyshop as a fabricator welder several years ago. Mike enjoys scale model building, a little bit of photography and working with a great team of people. In his own words, Mike has learnt so much in the time he has been with the team, and continues to learn everyday.
APPRENTICE FABRICATOR
Miles Judson
BODYSHOP
Miles is the new apprentice coachbuilder at Malton Coachworks. He joined the team because he loves cars and wanted to gain skills and experience in the automotive industry. Miles especially loves classic cars, so to have him work in Malton Coachworks is very exciting for us all.
Miles has studied Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University, and graduated with a first-class honours degree.
He has always been a musical person, having played the drums, piano, saxophone, guitar, and trumpet with varying levels of skill, favouring the drums, which he has played for 5 years in school bands and concerts.
Currently, Miles is learning to speak Greek and Italian and hopes to one day be fluent in both. When Miles is NOT drumming, learning Greek and Italian, he enjoys making model cars, landmarks, and accessories with a 3D printer.
Miles is also an accredited trainee Marshal with Motorsport UK, and will be spending his weekends volunteering as a marshal for circuit and rally events across the country. He is excited to start volunteering for 2023 and hopes to ‘rank up’ to levels of more responsibility on track.
TECHNICIAN
Paul Stapleton
WORKSHOP
Paul joined the team at Malton Coachworks in 2025 as a result of the business’ expansion. Born in Derby, Paul was a time served motor vehicle technician working on cars and heavy goods vehicles. Following his time in the workshop, he moved to the railway industry as a Mechanical Engineer, working his way up to becoming the Technical Training Manager.
In 2019, Paul moved to Southern Ireland and spent 3 years having a career break before returning back to the UK and starting with us here at Malton Coachworks. Paul has always had a passion for mechanical engineering and cars, bringing his brilliant experience and passion to the role as a technician.
Out of all the cars that pass through the workshop, Paul could see himself in a Mercedes Pagoda one day or an Aston Martin DB6.
TECHNICIAN
Phillip Pickerill
WORKSHOP
Phil began his career in the motor trade in 1999 and attended Lewisham College, London for one year studying mechanical engineering and bodywork. In 2000 he moved north to Scarborough with his family where he attended the Yorkshire Coast College for two years, completing his Level 3 in Light vehicle maintenance and repair.
Having completed his College course he began in the world of employment with Motosave carrying out general maintenance including exhaust and tyre fitting. In 2003 Phil was recruited by Ford main agents in Scarborough, became a certified MOT tester and after fourteen years’ service joined our workshop team.
In his spare time Phil enjoys building model railway systems and loves attending various platforms on the North Yorkshire Railway to see steam trains. Other hobbies consist of attending car shows with work colleagues and reading books.
TECHNICIAN
Rob Ineson
WORKSHOP
Having served 25 years in the Aircraft maintenance industry, and 6 years as a Motor Vehicle technician, Rob fulfilled his dream by joining Malton Coachworks to work on classic cars. It is with the appeal of in-depth problem solving and the development of technology throughout motoring history that Rob enjoys most.
The dream car for Rob is a De-Tomaso Panera GT5 that he could drive listening to his selection of heavy metal music. Outside of work, Rob enjoys going to music concerts, as well as carrying out his own restoration projects.
CLEANER
Victoria Allanby
ALL DEPTS
Vicky joined Malton Coachworks as a Cleaner in mid 2023, starting in the Bodyshop and eventually covering all departments including the Classic and Sportscar showroom. Vicky felt instantly welcomed and has described the company as one big family.
She enjoys seeing everyone in all departments and is always a ray of sunshine. Before joining the team, she worked for six years at a local primary school and prior to that worked as a Carer for the elderly.In her free time Vicky enjoys reading, listening to her music and going on walks. Vicky loves spending time with her friends and family.
TECHNICIAN
Will Dunbobbin
WORKSHOP
Will joined Malton Coachworks in June of 2025 due to the attraction of working on prestige and classic cars day in, day out. Nine years ago, Will undertook a Level 3 Motor Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship which gave him a great foundation to build upon in the motor trade. Now surrounded with 10 decades of motoring history, he is building on his skill set and enjoys the engineering challenges presented in the workshop.
Outside of work, Will enjoys mountain biking, attending local car shows, helping out on a small family holding and spending time with his family. Out of all the cars that come through the workshop, it is Will’s dream to own a Mercedes 280SL Pagoda.
MEET THE TEAM
Management Team
We are always looking for
exceptional people.
If you have a passion for classic cars and a trade to match, we would like to hear from you. We offer apprenticeships through our Academy as well as experienced roles across all departments.