About Us

Founders Peter Fairley and Jonathan James-Gunn met at college in 2009 while doing a part-time HNC in electrical and electronic engineering. The lads were working full time in their apprenticeships while studying on a part-time, day release basis.

Both from and living in the Northeast of England, Peter and Jonathan became good friends during the 2-year HNC course, graduating as joint-top of the course and sharing the outstanding achievement award. They both then went on to complete a 4-year part time BEng(H) degree in electrical and electronic engineering, all while working full-time as time-served engineers, for different employers.

During the degree, Peter and Jonathan realised that although they shared core engineering abilities, their mindsets where complimentary. Jonathan has a natural ability to engineer real-world solutions to technical problems, while Peter has an entrepreneurial aptitude for business.

As two high-achieving, ambitious and very capable individuals, with a knack for getting things done, there was only one solution, and it only required timing...

Jonathan's mentor and coach of 15 years announced he was wanting to retire from NDT Electronic Services Ltd. Peter and Jonathan sprung into action, founded the Fairley Gunn Group Ltd, acquired NDT Electronic Services Ltd, and enabled a happy retirement... then the Group was born.

With wetted appetites and equipped with a vision, drive, enthusiasm and experience, the Fairley Gunn Group is actively looking for the next opportunity to Champion & Support British Manufacturing. Always using a realistic and sustainable approach.

A dynamic and exciting environment has been created; full of potential and possibilities just waiting to be unleashed.

Fairley Gunn Group is actively growing organically and through acquisition. 

Peter started his career as an electrical and mechanical apprentice, hands-on, learning the basics, and building from there. All centred around heavy industrial machinery control systems.

During the 4-year apprenticeship, Peter gained his NVQ L3 & HNC on a part-time, day-release basis. After a promotion to Electrical Design Engineer, where he was responsible for the design and specification of heavy machinery control and automation systems (PLCs), he went on to complete a 4-year, part-time BEng(H) in electrical and electronic engineering.

After changing jobs a couple of times, completing a distant-learning postgraduate certificate in project management, travelling the world as an international commissioning engineer and gaining IEng Professional Registration with the IET, Peter partnered with Jonathan to found the Fairley Gunn Group.

Jonathan found his feet at NDT Electronic Services Ltd, where he started his electronic engineering career. Beginning as a calibration technician, building skills, experience and knowledge to become the now owner-director.

Working full-time and studying on a part-time, day-release basis, Jonathan gained his ONC, HNC and BEng(H) in electrical and electronic engineering over a 6-year period. Jonathan quickly gained more responsibility as his natural technical ability came to light. Moving from calibrations, to repairs, to servicing, to designing and bringing to market many of the products still in use today.

Continuing within NDT Electronic Services, Jonathan and Peter partnered to found the Fairley Gunn Group.