Pennington has worked in mining industry sales for more than five years, with particular experience in open cut mining and has also extensive experience working with international quarry and cement businesses, which will aid the company’s expansion into its identified growth markets, such as South Africa, Australia, Russia and the US.

Cornflow managing director Mark Henley said: “Brigitte has extensive experience and contacts in the international mining and quarry markets, which will help us to expand our business even further into these areas.

“This is an exciting time for our business as we extend our expertise into these new markets, building on our reputation in the mining sector.”

Pennginton, who is fluent in Afrikaans, Flemish and Dutch, will play a key role in developing new opportunities for Conflow’s dust and fire suppression systems across the globe.

Conflow and Bretby Gammatech, as well as Bestobell Valves, are part of the Sheffield-based President Engineering Group, a manufacturer of solutions to the mining and energy markets.