Vertical Innovations was founded on decades of combined experience across the vertical transportation industry, with backgrounds spanning major infrastructure, commercial developments, modernisation projects, maintenance operations and technical project delivery across London and the wider UK.
Engineering Experience
Built Through
Major Infrastructure
and Industry Delivery
Our StoryOur journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.
The company was established with a clear objective — to deliver a higher standard of engineering support, communication and customer care within an industry that often lacks transparency, consistency and proactive technical guidance.
Our directors entered the industry through hands-on engineering and project delivery roles, building experience across some of the UK’s most demanding environments including transport infrastructure, commercial assets and large-scale construction projects.
This practical foundation continues to shape the way Vertical Innovations operates today.
As the business continues to grow, we are strategically bringing onboard trusted associates and specialist partners from across the industry to further strengthen our technical capability, operational flexibility and ability to deliver tailored solutions for our clients.
Our approach focuses on quality, reliability and long-term asset performance.
We believe successful project delivery extends beyond the lift itself and requires a holistic understanding of the building, the asset owner’s objectives, facilities management requirements and the experience of the end user.
Whether supporting reactive engineering requirements, modernisation programmes, compliance reviews or lifecycle planning, Vertical Innovations aims to provide commercially practical solutions delivered with professionalism, technical competence and clear communication throughout every stage of the process.
Our Team
Karl Ellis
Karl began his career in the lift industry as an apprentice in London, progressing through engineering and testing roles within a major lift company. Through years of hands-on industry experience, he developed extensive technical knowledge across installation, fault finding, testing and project delivery within complex live environments.
Following a successful career within the corporate sector, Karl co-founded Vertical Innovations alongside Stephen Whitworth with a vision to deliver a more responsive, technically focused and customer-driven approach to the industry. Today, Karl leads the delivery of technical solutions across the business, supporting clients with practical engineering expertise, problem solving and high-quality project execution.
Director
Stephen Whitworth
Stephen’s connection to the lift industry began at an early age, first stepping onto a lift at just three years old whilst growing up in Australia — and as he often says, he has not left a lift shaft since. After relocating to the UK, Stephen converted his electrical qualifications into the lift industry, building his career within one of the industry’s major lift companies and specialising in lift modernisation and testing across London.
With a strong focus on detail, installation quality and long-term reliability, Stephen developed a reputation for delivering clean, well thought out modernisation works within challenging environments. As Director of Vertical Innovations, he continues to apply this approach across all areas of project delivery, ensuring clients receive professionally managed solutions delivered to a high engineering standard.
Director
Jonathan Carter
Business Development & Administration
Jonathan began his career in the lift industry as an apprentice before progressing through engineering, construction management and senior project management roles within major projects and infrastructure environments for one of the world’s leading lift companies.
Having delivered works across complex commercial and infrastructure projects, Jonathan brings a strong understanding of project coordination, operational delivery, client communication and commercial management. At Vertical Innovations, he focuses on business development, systems, reporting and client support — helping streamline delivery processes and ensure customers receive clear, practical and commercially focused solutions tailored to their exact requirements.