COMPLETE construction partner, Stepnell, has announced two new strategic hires with the appointment of Lewis Archibald as framework director and Sheona Macmillan as sustainability manager. Both roles will support Stepnell’s framework performance growth and bolster its sustainable commitments to project delivery for customers. Lewis joins with nearly 30 years of
Leeds-based drainage contractor, Jet Aire, has appointed Simon Lawton to its board as non-executive chairman. Jet Aire’s board has been working with Simon since 2014 on various ad hoc projects. In the past six months, he has been closely working with the directors and senior management team to lay the
Last month’s takeover of Interlift by Hewden has seen a management makeover that has installed Mike Omond, Edward Carr and Kevin Chalmers in key operational roles. Omond arrives from Speedy to take up a brand new position as plant operations director, Carr leaves Select to come on board as operations director
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
COMPLETE construction partner, Stepnell, has announced two new strategic hires with the appointment of Lewis Archibald as framework director and Sheona Macmillan as sustainability manager. Both roles will support Stepnell’s framework performance growth and bolster its sustainable commitments to project delivery for customers. Lewis joins with nearly 30 years of industry experience, having spent his career working across a variety of preconstruction and estimating roles. At Stepnell, Lewis will continue to add to the complete construction partner’s 15-strong portfolio of both regional and national frameworks. Lewis will also be responsible for increasing the number of framework projects, so that Stepnell can continue to provide better service, earlier contractor involvement and more certainty of delivery. Lewis said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this role during a time of significant growth for Stepnell. Our work to deliver construction excellence – via an increasing number of framework projects – is crucial to our service proposition and the success of the business. “I’m looking forward to accelerating delivery and efficiencies at project and programme level, as well as driving forward innovation for projects, helping to ensure they are on time and within budget. This is an excellent time to be joining Stepnell, with a huge amount of potential to enhance our position, which I hope to achieve.” Stepnell’s new sustainability manager, Sheona, brings seven years of environmental management experience to the role from across rail, construction and military sectors. Sheona will be instrumental to the implementation of sustainability solutions for projects across the entire business. Sheona said: “Supporting Stepnell to achieve and increase our sustainability goals is vital for success. I am therefore very much looking forward to leading the business on its sustainability journey and developing and driving forward new initiatives. By prioritising early engagement with our customers, and through using the most effective sustainable resources and technologies, Stepnell will further minimise waste, reduce carbon emissions, prioritise renewable energy and encourage biodiversity across our sites.” Tom Wakeford, joint managing director at Stepnell, added: “We are pleased to welcome Lewis and Sheona, who will both play an integral part in the continued growth and success of Stepnell. Investing in new talent helps our teams to unlock new and exciting opportunities, while expanding and strengthening our service offering. As they both develop in their roles, we are certain that Lewis and Sheona will make a significant and positive impact to the business, and we look forward to supporting them to do this.” To find out more about Stepnell, visit: www.stepnell.co.uk and for information about Stepnell’s framework partnerships visit www.stepnell.co.uk/frameworks . Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Leeds-based drainage contractor, Jet Aire, has appointed Simon Lawton to its board as non-executive chairman. Jet Aire’s board has been working with Simon since 2014 on various ad hoc projects. In the past six months, he has been closely working with the directors and senior management team to lay the foundations for the next phase of the company’s growth in providing professional drainage solutions to commercial, industrial and domestic clients. Simon has an extensive track record as a finance director in rapidly growing entrepreneurial businesses, notably Tribal Group Plc which he helped to grow from a start-up to a £250m+ (sales) business over a 10-year period. He was also a founder trustee of the Tribal Group Foundation – funding health and education projects in Africa, India and Nepal – and spent two years in Sub-Sahara Africa working on various investment projects, including a 5-star island tourist resort in the Indian Ocean off Mozambique. In 2013, Simon helped to co-launch a new start-up support service business, Benula Capital Limited, focusing on the recruitment and HR market. Benula currently holds equity stakes in several companies (UK and International) to help them execute an accelerated growth strategy by providing strategic, financial and development advice and coaching to talented owner managers. Jet Aire managing director, Charlie Kirk, said: “I am delighted that Simon has agreed to accept the role of non-executive chairman. His advice will be invaluable to us as we continue to drive the business forward. Jet Aire continues to enjoy sustained and consistent growth – since 2014 the business has doubled in size, sales and profitability. The company has ambitious growth plans over the next three to five years. We continue to build on solid foundations and have an excellent management team in place.”
Last month’s takeover of Interlift by Hewden has seen a management makeover that has installed Mike Omond, Edward Carr and Kevin Chalmers in key operational roles. Omond arrives from Speedy to take up a brand new position as plant operations director, Carr leaves Select to come on board as operations director for cranes and Chalmers, former Interlift owner and director, is the new operations director for lifting solutions. The trio bring to Hewden a broad range of experience and knowledge which CEO Adrian Murphy is clearly delighted about. He said: “Mike, Edward and Kevin all bring a tremendous amount of expertise, innovative thinking and leadership qualities to Hewden. There’s never been a more exciting time to be involved in this business. We’re investing in our people, our processes and our products to be the leading on-site solutions provider in the UK. With these new appointments, we’re in a better position to achieve those strategic goals.” Omond, for example, has worked in plant hire since he was 16 years old. He’s been previously employed by a number of blue chip companies before leading Speedy Services as its managing director. Carr, a mechanical engineering graduate, specialised in tower crane operations with Laing O’Rourke before joining Hewden and will now look after mobile crane operations in his new role.
