Sotech Strengthens Rainscreen Specification Team with Two Key Appointments

It’s early days in rainscreen cladding company Sotech’s bold five-year growth plan – a strategy aimed  to double the size of the company through innovation, collaboration and values-driven leadership. Walk through the facade manufacturing factory or the company’s offices right now, and you can feel it: energy, ambition, movement.

At the heart of this next chapter are two new hires, both bringing fresh expertise to the specification team – Harry Tamplin, Architectural Façade Manager, and Jake Winwood, Specification Manager. Together, they represent the blend of precision, technical insight and people-first attitude that’s defining Sotech’s approach to growth.

We sat down with Harry and Jake in the company’s Peterlee headquarters to talk about façades, sustainability, Gateway 2 – and what it’s like joining Sotech at such a pivotal time.

What made you both want to join Sotech?

“I’ve known about Sotech for quite a long time,” Harry begins, the first of Sotech’s new hires. “I’ve always admired how they balance technical expertise with a genuine commitment to safety and sustainability. When the opportunity came up, it just felt like the right fit. For me, it’s also about growth – this role gives me the chance to build on my experience and be part of Sotech’s five-year journey.”

“Same here,” Jake adds. “It’s an exciting opportunity to work for a company with like-minded people. There’s this shared drive here – a focus on doing things properly, collaborating, innovating. You can feel that energy the moment you walk in.”

What are you most looking forward to in your new roles?

“I really enjoy working with architects, façade consultants, and contractors right from the start – helping to shape system choices, ensure compliance, and make sure everything runs smoothly further down the line,” Harry explains. “I’m also looking forward to contributing to product development and delivering CPDs. With everything happening around Gateway 2, there’s a real opportunity to add value.”

“For me, it’s about spreading the word – Sotech has such an innovative product range, and it’s my job to make sure specifiers, clients, and installers have all the technical information they need. Especially with the recent changes from the Building Safety Regulator – that’s where strong communication really matters.”

Tell us a bit about your backgrounds – what do you each bring to Sotech?

Harry’s route into façades started with glazing. “I’ve been in the built environment for nearly a decade,” “I started at IQ Glass, a high-end residential sub-contractor, before moving into specification sales at Hydro Building Systems (Technal UK), where I spent almost six years. While I was there, I completed my MSc in Façade Engineering. That mix of practical experience and technical study really shaped how I work with specifiers – it’s all about finding the right solution for each project.”

Jake’s path took him through the framework behind the façade. “I’ve worked in construction for more than a decade. The first eight years were with steel framing system providers, in both operational and sales roles. Then I moved into façades – EWI, render systems, rainscreen cladding – and I’ve loved the variety ever since. A career highlight for me was a project in Bristol that became one of the first to gain Gateway 2 approval. Seeing that level of collaboration between architect, main contractor and sub-contractor – that’s what good specification work looks like.”

The facade industry is evolving fast. What opportunities do you see right now?

“There’s a lot happening, especially around safety and sustainability. Clients are asking more questions than ever about carbon and recyclability. The more we can do to provide up-to-date Environmental Product Declarations and increase recycled content, the bigger the impact we’ll have. Gateway 2 is another huge opportunity – if we can make data and certification accessible, we can really support specifiers and streamline the process.”

Jake adds, “We’re seeing so much demand across the UK for both new housing and recladding projects. Build-to-Rent schemes are creating great opportunities for systems like Optima BrickTech, while fire remediation work is pushing the need for compliant, future-ready materials. That’s where Sotech’s technical strength comes in – helping people make the right choices early.”

And where does sustainability fit into all this?

“Façades play a massive role in how buildings perform – from thermal efficiency to material choices,” “If we get the design right early on, we can reduce energy use and embodied carbon. We need façades that can be deconstructed, reused and recycled at end of life.”

Jake agrees. “The drive to net zero is huge,” “We can do more – from using recyclable materials to optimising waste and improving insulation levels. But I think safety and quality have to stay at the forefront. Sustainability and compliance should go hand in hand.”

A company in motion

The arrival of Harry and Jake marks more than just two hires – it signals the next stage of Sotech’s evolution. Under Jon Symonds’ leadership, the company has been building momentum through a five-year plan to double in size, invest in people and products, and lead the market with technical excellence and integrity.

“If we can see the opportunity and put the right strategy in place, we can achieve it,” Jon said recently. “That means continuing to innovate, strengthen our specification capability and ensure our clients feel confident through every stage of design. Bringing in people like Harry and Jake is central to that vision.”

Long serving Head of Sales & Marketing Manager Claire Ryan agrees. “Their appointments reflect our focus on growth and collaboration,” she says. “We’re expanding our specification team at a time when the industry is changing rapidly. Having experts who can support architects through Gateway 2 and beyond is invaluable.”

Away from the office

When the conversation turns to life outside of work, Harry starts: 

 “Anything outdoors with a bit of competition,” “Travel, football, golf… and I enjoy cooking.

Jake added “I’m happiest spending time with my wife and son, watching sport, or finding a good TV series. I’m a Green Bay Packers fan, but I’ll keep my football team a secret for now — it’s been a rough start to the season.”

Together, Harry and Jake bring fresh energy, deep technical knowledge and a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and collaboration – qualities that will help drive Sotech’s next chapter of growth.