A CABLE cleat maker, founded by a former RAF bomber pilot, has expanded its export team to maintain its global expansion.

Ellis, in Rillington, near Scarborough, has welcomed export market researcher Kelly Brown.

Bosses say the accounting and management graduate will research new markets as the firm looks to strengthen its presence in the cable cleat market.

Tony Conroy, export director, said: “More than half our annual turnover comes from export sales and this percentage is growing year-on-year.

“We have a four strong export team in the UK, a business development manager covering Latin America from Montevideo, and an extensive network of distributors working on our behalf in our active export markets.

“But the job though is far from complete and there are numerous markets we have yet to explore.

“Kelly gives us the capability to do this in a manner that will make entering them a great deal easier.”

Ms Brown added: “When the opportunity with Ellis arose, I couldn’t resist.

“It’s a role where I can really make a difference, even at such an early stage in my career.”

Ellis’ cleats are designed to restrain cables and can withstand forces generated in a short circuit.

Earlier this year, the firm, set up in 1962 by Arthur Ellis, who flew more than 90 missions in the Second World War, secured a significant order to supply equipment to the Areva European Pressurised Reactor in China’s Guangdong province.

It has also supported National Grid’s London Power Tunnels project, sending cable saddles to the capital rewiring scheme.