Our Story
Founded in 2014, Principal Doorsets was established by industry leaders with decades of experience in performance doorset manufacture. Building on North Devon’s proud heritage of timber doorset production, we’ve grown into a trusted supplier for complex and demanding projects nationwide. Our history is rooted in craftsmanship, but our focus has always been forward-looking: delivering doorsets that meet today’s exacting standards of performance, compliance, and design.
To deliver best-in-market performance doorsets, technical advice, and customer service experiences to the most demanding specification and finishing requirements while delivering to our customers on time, in full, every time.
- Deliver best-in-market high-performance doorsets
- Provide expert technical advice to meet demanding specifications
- Exceed expectations on quality and finishing requirements
- Exceed expectations on quality and finishing requirements
To be the leading provider of innovative, compliant doorset solutions, setting the standard for excellence in performance, customer service, and timely delivery, and transforming the industry through our commitment to quality, innovation, and service.
- Be the leading provider of innovative and compliant doorset solutions
- Set the industry standard for performance, customer service, and on-time delivery
- Drive transformation in the doorset industry
- Demonstrate unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and service
It’s not just words, it’s a goal at our very core, guided by four promises for all to see. Promises we’ve created by speaking to customers like you. And that we plan to deliver against by always providing the best quality service, no matter how you interact And that we plan to deliver against by always providing the best quality service, no matter how you interact
At Principal Doorsets, our expertise isn’t just a set of words — it’s at the heart of everything we do and backed by decades of combined industry experience. With a team steeped in over 400 years of doorset manufacturing and technical know-how, we deliver solutions that meet the most demanding specifications across healthcare, mental health, hospitality, leisure and high-end residential sectors. By listening to our customers, we’ve tailored technical advice, expert project support, and a commitment to quality craftsmanship with the latest precision manufacturing. From initial consultation through design, production and delivery, we make doorset supply easier and more reliable, with fully third-party certified, BM TRADA Q-Mark fire-rated products engineered to perform — fire, acoustic, security, energy-efficient and bespoke finishes included. No matter how you interact with us, we put your needs first, take personal responsibility for exceptional service, and ensure clarity, honesty and integrity throughout every step of your project.
Our Senior Team
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John Bates
Managing DirectorJohn joined the team in January 2023 on a temporary basis to manage several estates projects but swiftly fell in love with Principal Doorsets and came on board full-time in an operations capacity six months later. Prior to joining Principal Doorsets, John served as an Officer in the Australian Army for 8 years following his graduation from the Royal Military College-Australia in 2012, before relocating to North Devon where he became the founder/director of multiple companies in the construction industry. A graduate of the University of New England (Bachelor of Organisational Leadership), John brings a wealth of operational and commercial experience with him to Principal Doorsets.
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Gary Petherbridge
Manufacturing ManagerGary began his career in 1990 with Sully and Co Chartered Accountants, training in accountancy and gaining experience in financial reporting, tax, and payroll. In 2000, he made a career change into manufacturing, joining Nexfor (later Norbord) where he progressed from CNC machinist to Shift Supervisor and ultimately Production Manager. Over more than two decades, Gary built extensive expertise in operations, people management, and safety leadership, including time spent in Canada as part of Norbord’s Safety Leadership programme.
In January 2024, Gary joined Principal Doorsets as Production Manager, bringing with him a strong track record in leading teams, improving processes, and embedding safety culture at scale. His breadth of experience across finance, manufacturing, and operational management makes him a valuable asset to the continued growth and resilience of the business.
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Wendy Brookes-Aydin
Compliance ManagerWendy is a qualified Project Manager (CMI) and Human Resources specialist (CIPD) with over six years’ experience at Principal Doorsets. Now serving as Compliance Manager, Wendy oversees the company’s business systems, ensuring adherence to key industry standards and accreditations.
In her role, Wendy manages compliance across ISO 9001, Health & Safety, Q-Mark, PAS 24, and FSC certification, while also leading the Human Resources function. With a background in project management and people development and education, she combines operational expertise with regulatory knowledge to support continuous improvement, quality assurance, and a culture of compliance throughout the business.
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Jodie Bowden
Finance ManagerJodie came to Principal Doorsets in 2021, bringing along with her nearly two decades of knowledge from the wood products industry. In her 18 years working for Nobord, she gained extensive practical experience across the several departments she worked in, starting her career in purchasing and finishing as an Assistant Management Accountant. Her long tenure with them has not only cemented a strong understanding of manufacturing & operational processes with financial controls, but also a commitment to growth, teamwork and future development which she has been able to apply here in her role with us.
We know Jodie for her love of an excel top tip! On her office noticeboard is a sign ‘Welcome to Finance – Where everybody counts’ where humorous motivation represents our beliefs here at Prinicpal Doorsets that individuals, no matter their role, are integral to our success. Team value, recognition and precision with a sense of humour!
