Committee.

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John Nichols

After completing his Otis apprenticeship Johnny Nichols became a 'construction man'. Installed quite a few lifts all over country on his own account, and was proud of them all.

He then performed a lot of work in and around the lift and escalator construction side of Otis. He worked with, and for, a lot of good people, implemented a lot of safety related  procedures and equipment.

He made a lot of friends and very few enemies. He hopes he made a contribution and helped change the company's safety culture. Worked here, there and everywhere for 43 years, and enjoyed them all.

Lindsay Harvey

Lindsay joined the company in 1970 as an apprentice and held many roles in the UK business plus an international career with Company.  He worked in the European HQ, Paris, was responsible for running Otis companies in Australasia and China, returned to the UK as President for UCEA (UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Russia and Central Europe). 

Serving on the Otis Executive Committee for nearly 10 years, he also ran the Otis, Chubb and Carrier businesses in UK and Benelux.  Prior to his retirement in 2018, he worked for EMEA HQ and World HQ leading different functions including Safety, Quality and Field Operations. Since retirement, Lindsay has provided management consultancy and advisory services to a number of UK businesses.

Gordon McIntosh

Gordon joined Otis as an apprentice in September 1967 and worked in London based in Carnaby Street.  His first role as a maintenance engineer was based from Marks & Spencer London HQ. Following ten years of Service field duties, he was offered a Sales position in the London City Branch which was the start of his 22 year selling career. 

After 37 years Otis service, Gordon accepted a Sales role at Schindler Lifts (UK).  Upon retirement, Gordon rejoined OLSA and has been actively involved with the Association.  Gordon is highly interested in being involved with Otis People and representing them as a Committee member.  

Geoff Farge

Geoff started his Otis career in London in 1973. After various London based roles including Estimator, Sales Engineer, Sales Representative, Service Sales Manager and National Customer Executive he moved to the Midlands to head up the National Accounts team and was based in the Otis Leicester Service Centre. 

Geoff left Otis in 2011 after over 37 years service.  Since then he has remained within the industry in differing consultancy and business development roles.  Geoff lives in Leicestershire and is now semi-retired running his small company providing training and specialist consultancy.

Pat Gordon

Pat started in London, at Clapham Road in 1981 followed by some time at Alperton & Twyford Abbey Road when working with the modernisation team. Pat feels fortunate to have worked with and have learnt from many Otis legends - Including members of the association. During her time with Otis Pat worked in FOD, Sales Engineering, Modernisation and London Construction. 

Following her departure in 2000, Pat worked with LITS for several years, recruiting apprentices, training and developing field mechanics for many lift & escalator companies. She is currently in-house Lift & Escalator Consultant with Cushman & Wakefield - Commercial Property Management Services.

Martin Cann

Martin is a current employee of Otis Elevator Co Ltd. He joined Otis as an apprentice in 1987, working out of the Plymouth Branch.

He has worked across many aspects of the business as an Engineer including Construction/Testing, Modernisation & Service.

He is currently a member of the FOD Department.

Martin has a keen interest in the history of the Lift Industry, especially the history of R. Waygood & Co Ltd and Otis Elevator Co Ltd.

As well as having a very extensive collection of Lift memorabilia, Martin is also a founder member of the Worlds only dedicated Elevator Museum, which is located in Massachusetts USA.

Mark Jones

Mark Started his Otis career in London as an apprentice in 1977. After completing his apprenticeship he work in both Modernisation and Construction before having various London based roles including Service Sales Representative, Service Sales Manager and National Customer Executive. 

He moved to work in the National Accounts team before moving back into Modernisation and Construction in Managerial roles based in TAR HQ.  Mark left Otis in 2002 after 25 years service.  Since then he has remained within the industry working for 10 years at Schindler and the last 9 years with Temple Lifts.  Mark lives in Kent.

Ian McFarlane

Ian started with Otis in 1972 as an apprentice working in all departments and completed his apprenticeship in 1976.  He settled into the service/repair department then joined the night call team. 

Ian moved into major repairs learning a lot from his elders and in 2001 he applied for a supervisor's job.  Ian ended his career at Otis as the Glasgow and West of Scotland Service Delivery Manager ensuring the safety of his engineers, needs of clients and producing a return for Otis.

Ian lives near Glasgow and we are delighted to have a representative on the committee from north of the border.

Incidentally, Ian's correct name is John but has been known as Ian all his life.

Keith James

Keith joined Otis in 1974 and after completing his apprenticeship, moved to Nigeria as a service engineer. He returned to the South as a service engineer before working in service and modernisation sales in London West End and in the South East and Channel Islands.

After 45 years at Otis, Keith took early retirement in 2019 and is enjoying a slower pace of life and being involved in the Otis Association.

Peter Amura

Peter started his career at Otis as a fitter’s mate operating out of Silex Street, London SE1 and studied for his J5 modules, progressing through all ranks to become a Principal Engineer on service repairs. Peter says, “I met some great people and made good friends along the way”. 

Peter’s career at Otis concluded with him managing London Repairs and also London and SE Modernisation. Peter left Otis in 2013.

Peter feels that if he could do it all again, he would without hesitation. “It is a wonderful company, full of wonderful people - it provided me with employment, training and my family with a future”.

He says, “Apart from my family and Millwall FC, Otis has been one of the most important parts of my life".