Petards Joyce-Loebl Limited (PJL), a firm specialising in advanced security, communication, and surveillance technology, has named General Manager Victoria Hodge as its new Managing Director. Located in Gateshead, the company has also enhanced its Petards Rail division by appointing Maria Walker as Business Development Manager.
This marks the first occasion PJL has elevated the role of Managing Director to its top executive position, reflecting Victoria's nearly eight-year career progression and aligning with the company’s focus on succession planning, stability, and growth.
Exceptional career progression
Victoria Hodge expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “As Managing Director, I look forward to championing and elevating Petard’s market presence and market share as our team builds on existing products and introduces innovative, pioneering AI technologies.”
She emphasised strategic leadership and operational excellence as pivotal elements of her agenda, aiming to foster sustainable growth and maintain robust trading performance in both the medium and long term. This vision entails fulfilling existing client commitments and delivering on the company’s product roadmap while introducing new solutions to the market.
Forward-looking organisation
Hodge disclosed plans for the company to conduct data-driven product trials in live client environments
Hodge disclosed plans for the company to conduct data-driven product trials in live client environments by 2026, providing avenues to accelerate growth and enhance industry insights.
“Further updates on the progress of our product roadmap will be shared publicly, later this year,” she added. Hodge highlighted the importance of setting the company apart through innovation and underscored the value of personnel as key assets in creating a future-oriented organisation.
Strong leadership team
Victoria Hodge’s ascent within PJL began as the Bids & Service Manager for Petards Rail, climbing through various roles, including Commercial Manager and General Manager.
Her leadership during a transformative phase enhanced operational efficiencies and cultivated a resilient leadership team. Before joining Petards, she spent ten years at BAE Systems in senior commercial roles, overseeing global projects, and held a senior position at DeepOcean leading offshore gas and renewables undertakings.
Developing strategic partnerships
Walker will handle PJL's UK business accounts, aiming at driving growth within and outside the UK market
Joining as Business Development Manager for Petards Rail, Maria Walker brings extensive experience from the technical rail sector. Her tenure at Telent Technology Services involved managing and expanding Network Rail accounts and forging strategic alliances with Tier 1 contractors.
Previously, she functioned as Senior Sales & Account Manager, UK & Ireland, for Icomera and as Key Account Manager for Nomad Digital. Walker will handle PJL's UK business accounts, aiming at driving growth within and outside the UK market.
Advanced tech enhancement
Delighted by Maria Walker's appointment, Hodge remarked on her extensive rail industry experience and her track record of fostering business growth.
Maria Walker noted, “Petards Rail has a highly respected heritage and manufactures one of the largest sources of on-train CCTV systems in the UK. My role offers an exceptional opportunity to support and nurture our impressive client base, not least, as we gear up to launch an advanced tech enhancement that further supports rail passenger safety.”
Petards Joyce-Loebl Limited (PJL), advanced security, communication and surveillance system tech firm, has promoted General Manager, Victoria Hodge, to the position of Managing Director. The Gateshead-based firm has also strengthened its commercial operations for the Petards Rail division with the appointment of Maria Walker, as Business Development Manager.
This is the first time that the company has appointed a Managing Director as the highest-ranking executive of PJL. It follows almost eight years of exceptional career progression for Victoria and aligns with Petard’s commitment to succession planning, stability, and growth.
Exceptional career progression
Victoria said, “As Managing Director, I look forward to championing and elevating Petard’s market presence and market share as our team builds on existing products and introduces innovative, pioneering Al technologies.”
“My focus is on strategic leadership, operational excellence, and ensuring Petards continues to drive sustainable growth and trading performance over the medium and long term. This will be achieved through the successful delivery of our existing order book and client commitments, alongside the execution of the company’s new product roadmap and the introduction of innovative solutions to the market.”
Forward-looking organisation
“In 2026, the company will host a series of data-driven product trials within live client environments, creating a significant opportunity to accelerate growth, deepen industry insight, and advance innovation. Further updates on the progress of our product roadmap will be shared publicly, later this year.”
“To realise this ambition, we have intentionally chosen to differentiate ourselves. Our team sees the future as an opportunity to reshape and redefine what is possible within our industries. Above all, our people remain our greatest asset. The continued development of our talent and culture through open engagement will be fundamental to building a forward-looking organisation that is equipped to lead our industries into the future.”
Strong leadership team
Victoria joined PJL as Bids & Service Manager for Petards Rail where numerous achievements elevated her to Commercial Manager, Commercial & Operations Manager and onwards, to General Manager.
As General Manager, Victoria led the business through a period of transformation, improving operational efficiencies and enhanced quality standards and building a strong leadership team. Prior to joining Petards, Victoria spent a decade with BAE Systems in senior commercial leadership roles with responsibility for worldwide projects and a senior role at DeepOcean where she led on global offshore gas and renewables developments.
Developing strategic partnerships
Petards Rail also welcomes Maria Walker as Business Development Manager. Maria brings a wealth of experience in the technical rail industry. She joins us from Telent Technology Services where Maria managed the expansion of key Network Rail accounts and developed strategic partnerships with Tier 1 contractors.
Previously, Maria was a Senior Sales & Account Manager, UK & Ireland, for Icomera and a Key Account Manager for Nomad Digital, delivering business-critical connectivity, safety, and operational solutions. Maria will be responsible for managing Petard Rail’s UK business accounts and driving growth within and beyond the UK sector.
Advanced tech enhancement
Maria said: “Petards Rail has a highly respected heritage and manufactures one of the largest sources of on-train CCTV systems in the UK. My role offers an exceptional opportunity to support and nurture our impressive client base, not least, as we gear up to the launch of an advanced tech enhancement that further supports rail passenger safety.”
Victoria Hodge, Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Maria to our team. She joins the business at an exciting time which sees our 2026 order intake at an exceptional level. Her wealth of experience within rail and record of achieving business growth and strategic partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to innovate our sector products and technology.”
