Taking The Helm At Top Tubes
April joined Top Tubes as Finance Director before leading a management buyout alongside business partner David Van Zyl. From the outset, they recognised the company’s untapped potential: a high-quality product, dedicated workforce, and room to grow. The challenge wasn’t rebuilding it was realigning.
Under their leadership, Top Tubes has moved from being a well-kept industry secret to a recognised, first-choice supplier. Together with David, she’s challenged the assumption that the steel industry only rewards low pricing, replacing it with a new proposition built on service, delivery, consistency, and trust.
From Numbers to Industry Vision
April began her career with a degree in accountancy, though it didn’t take long to realise her interests stretched far beyond spreadsheets. After entering the plastics industry with Swish Products, she quickly learned how to systemise processes those within her own role, and qualified as a financial accountant. Over the years, she moved through sectors including aerospace, plumbing distribution, IT, and copper tube manufacturing gaining international experience in China, Italy, and the U.S., and stepping into her first Finance Director role by her late twenties.
But throughout, one thing remained clear: her heart was in industry. April’s fascination with how things are made and with the people and machinery that make it happen has shaped every step of her journey.
Shaping a New Culture
April is open about the self-doubt that came with stepping into the MD role. But rather than mask it, she embraced it leaning on her team, staying hands-on, and leading with authenticity. She believes a strong business starts with aligned values, clear direction, and mutual respect.
That philosophy has reshaped Top Tubes from the inside out. From factory floor to office, April has built a culture where people feel heard, respected, and part of something bigger. Overtime is discouraged, not praised. Work-life balance is protected. If a system isn’t working, it’s fixed. And if someone’s ready to grow, they’re given the tools and encouragement to do it.
Investing in People
One of April’s greatest achievements lies in the growth of her team. She’s proud of those who’ve risen through the ranks: from warehouse recruits to mill operators, from admin support to sales leaders, from part-time ledger clerks to production planners. These stories reflect her belief that talent should be nurtured, not assumed.
That same thinking drove the expansion of Top Tubes’ apprenticeship programme. Rather than recruit on reputation, April has focused on building one offering young professionals the space to learn, contribute, and thrive. With growing investment in internal progression and cross-skilling, the business is now stronger, more resilient, and more agile than ever.
Pushing Boundaries
Top Tubes’ 30th anniversary celebration was a bold statement an immersive, creative showcase of the team’s capabilities, from product displays to factory tours led by staff. The event, which April helped design and deliver, encapsulated what she values most: teamwork, pride, and the power of presentation.
She’s also championing the adoption of AI and digital tools, listening to ideas from younger staff and giving them space to experiment. The result? Smarter systems, sharper insights, and a team that’s engaged in shaping the future of the business.
The Woman of Steel
April’s leadership stands out not just for what she does but for who she is. As a woman leading in the steel industry, she represents a rare voice in a field long dominated by men. She hasn’t set out to make a statement, but her presence at the helm of Top Tubes naturally does just that.
“I didn’t grow up dreaming of running a steel company,” she says. “But I’m proud of the role I’ve stepped into and proud to show what leadership can look like, differently.”
Her focus remains on building a legacy that lasts one rooted in excellence, inclusivity, and quiet determination. If that makes her the “Woman of Steel,” she wears the title with pride.
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Looking Ahead
For April, the vision is clear: consistency, credibility, and continued excellence. That means aligning everything from branding to sales pitches, deepening the company’s culture of trust, and remaining the supplier of choice for quality not price.
“I don’t need to be the best,” she says, “but I’d like to be remembered for building something meaningful.” Her hope? That one day, someone she’s developed will be knocking on her door, ready to take the reins. And if that happens, she’ll be the first to celebrate.
Because for April, leadership isn’t about being the answer to everything it’s about asking the right questions, trusting your people, and letting the work speak for itself.