Rioned Appoint Mathew Owen as UK Managing Director

Rioned is delighted to announce the appointment of Mathew Owen as UK Managing Director. Mathew brings over 30 years of mechanical engineering experience to the role and will oversee UK operations for Rioned and sister company Andy Guest Jetters.

Mathew joins Rioned from the Stowen Group, a company he founded in 2014 to provide project management services to the oil, gas and offshore wind sectors. In late 2021 the business was sold to a private equity firm, and Mathew describes the business's growth, development and ultimate sale as one of his proudest accomplishments.

“It was another level of dedication and hard work,” he says. “Selling the business to a private equity firm in 2021 was a significant achievement in my career.”

Moving on from his role at Stowen, Mathew was keen to try something different within the manufacturing and engineering sector. He admits that the drainage equipment industry is quite different to oil and gas, though feels there are some similarities: “It’s technical engineering so people in technical engineering tend to be the same type of person and it's quite easy to connect and relate to the people that work in our business.”

“I began speaking to Jan (Rioned CEO) in March,” he explains. “I was impressed with what has been achieved at Rioned and excited for the opportunity to join. I understand that we have a very good reputation with our customers, and I’m looking forward to meeting them. I am eager to learn how we can improve and sustain that going forward.”

Originally from Norwich, Mathew is married with two children who are both at high school. A mechanical engineer by discipline, throughout his career he has placed importance on personal development, undertaking project management and business management programs and earning a foundation degree in 2007.

Having worked in leadership roles throughout the world, including the US, Brazil and the Middle East, Mathew brings insight into establishing the right culture and ethos across a business, and how that can be hugely important to its success.

“It's always been a philosophy of mine that everyone who meets with our business has a positive experience, whether you come in as a corporate customer or the mailman. It starts with the leadership team setting the culture and making sure that the staff feel they contribute to the vision and values of the company. I’m excited to help the team grow.”

Rioned CEO Jan Pieters added: “The people who work at Rioned are our greatest asset – and we always aim to attract and retain the best. In Mathew, we have found someone with the experience and insight we believe can help move this great business forward. Welcome to the Rioned family Mathew!”