Industry Experience Right here

We’re an independent hire specialist. Established in 2013, we’ve made high-quality hire with top-class service our standard.
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Part of CA Group, we know industrial projects. Demanding commercial hire or domestic build – we can handle all.

We cater for customers from many fields including construction, domestic, defence, events, engineering, environmental, facilities management, farming, forestry, glazing, garbage, highways, housing, shutter doors, security, shop-fitting rail, real estate, transport, telecoms, training utilities...

We know the pain points

Complex projects are challenging. Delays are costly.
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Providing accurate, expert advice is key. We put the best solutions forward. You get the job done with ease. No more hire problems.

We know the sweet spots

The best possible outcomes for our customers, no less.
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‍The best machines, the best range, the best guidance and service – it’s all in a day’s work. See our customer pledge here.

We’ll keep things moving

One point of contact. We understand you better. No need to go over old ground – saving time and gaining convenience.
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Plus super-fast turn around, reliable equipment, out-of-hours assistance.

Knowing our machines

‍Intricate knowledge of our fleet. Training, guidance, operational and field support.

Our CAP registered engineers are on hand to help.

Here for the duration

‍You need a quick hire. No problem.

Long-term project management. We do that too.
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> Scoping survey
> Project planning
> Monitoring
> Field support

THE TEAM

HAVING THE KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPORT ALL STAGES OF YOUR PROJECT

Jason O'Brien

General Manager

Jason has been with UPA since incorporation in 2013 and as general manager, oversees all aspects of the business on a day to day basis, ensuring the customer experience is maintained in all areas, through a well-trained and motivated team and robust operational procedures.

Mykel Hodgson

Assistant General Manager

Having joined UPA in 2017, with a demonstrated history in hire and sales, Mykel manages the UPA sales team and looks after our existing customers, via office calls, site visits and site surveys.

Shannon Wellens

Hire & Operations Controller

Shannon joined UPA in November 2021, to give vital administration support to the UPA hire team. Shannon was promoted in 2022 to Hire Controller and covered both our own fleet and cross hire. After showing a rapid knowledge progression, always with a keen eye for detail, Shannon was again promoted in 2023 to Hire & Operations Controller, managing the UPA hire desk.

Andrew Davies

Engineering Controller

Our Engineering Controller Andrew, is responsible for overseeing engineering within the UPA fleet. Andrew leads and motivates our engineering team to achieve the highest levels of safety and quality and co-ordinates numerous processes including external call outs and ensuring stock levels are maintained to ensure fantastic availability at all times.

Nikki Kennedy

Hire Controller

Nikki joined UPA in March 2023 providing further experience and support to the hire Team. With a long and varied career in hire, Nikki is able to assist with all of your hire requirements.

Lewis Birtwistle

Hire Controller

Lewis joined UPA in July 2022. Lewis completed a 3 month intensive training programme resulting in being able to give all of our customers a high level of reactive administration service, in a professional and friendly manner. Having developed his skills over the next 18 months in January 2024 Lewis was promoted to Hire Controller and looks after both the UPA and cross hired fleet.

Katie Geering

Hire Controller

Katie joined UPA in April 2023 and helps the hire team to delivery a superb standard of response and service to our customers.

Charlotte Dugdale-Storey

Sales Development Manager

Charlotte commenced as Sales Development Manager in 2024, after previously being in the operations side of the business. With a thorough knowledge of our range of machines and services along with a natural skill in building long lasting relationships, Charlotte is our first point of call for new customers.

Alan Kay

Service Engineer

Having been one of UPA's original service engineers, Alan returned to UPA in January 2022. Alan has a wealth of knowledge, stemming from a lifetime career within the access industry. You will find Alan both in the UPA depot and out on sites nationally.

David Taylor

Sales Development Manager

David joined UPA in 2023, having a demonstrated history in sales in a different sector. David build long lasting, solid relationships with customers and is always on hand to advise the best solution to your requirements.

Darren Gibson

Service Engineer

Darren has always showed a keen interest and passion for engineering. Darren commenced with UPA as a Trainee Engineer. After years of training, Darren was promoted to Service Engineer in 2024 and his role includes completing our pre-delivery inspections, cosmetic refurbishment & a range of different repairs. He continues to increase his knowledge on his journey to becoming a CAP registered engineer.

Shaun Duffy

Service Engineer

Shaun joined UPA in 2023 and looks after the fleet both at the UPA premises and out on site. Being CAP registered and with a long history in powered access, safety is at the forefront of everything Shaun does.

Gareth Hulme

Delivery Driver

Gareth is a key member of our rapid response transport team, delivering and collecting all over the North West. Gareth joined UPA in late 2024 with a demonstrated history in both the forces and logistics.

David Marsh

HGV Driver

Having worked most of his career within powered access, David has been with UPA since 2013 and is our longest serving HGV driver. On the road before 5am most days, David thrives off exceeding our customers expectations by having their machines on site, on time and in most cases early. Having completed his demonstrators license, he is well placed to offer all of our customers full familiarisation on the UPA range.

Andrew Cliff

Delivery Driver

Andrew supports our rapid response transport team delivering and collecting all over the North West. Joining UPA in 2024, Andrew gets your machine to site on time, every time.

Paul Harrison

Delivery Driver

Paul joined the UPA team in 2025 to further strengthen our rapid response delivery offering. With a long and demonstrated career in trailer logistics and maintenance, Paul has the skills to get your machine on site when required.

Industry Experience Right here

We know the pain points

We know the sweet spots

We’ll keep things moving

Knowing our machines

Here for the duration

HAVING THE KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPORT ALL STAGES OF YOUR PROJECT

Jason O'Brien

Mykel Hodgson

Shannon Wellens

Andrew Davies

Nikki Kennedy

Lewis Birtwistle

Katie Geering

Charlotte Dugdale-Storey

Alan Kay

David Taylor

Darren Gibson

Shaun Duffy

Gareth Hulme

David Marsh

Andrew Cliff

Paul Harrison

HEAD OFFICE