The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Firm finds an Ace in Kevin
New finance chief to guide growth of machinery maker
DeckmachinerymakerAce Winches has appointed Kevin McLardy as its chief financial officer to manage its financial strategy at a time of significant growth.
Mr McLardy, who will join thecompany’s board of directors, previously spent seven years at Ernst and Young where he was a senior member of the mergers and acquisitions team, primarily focusing on the oil field services sector.
He brings with him 20 years of senior level experience gained through various corporate finance roles based in the UK and internationally.
MrMcLardy said: “There is real ambition to maintain the high growth profile through continued international expansion. Revenue has more than doubled since 2010 and, given the current high levels of market activity and a strong order book, we forecast this to exceed £40million by the financial year end 2014.”
The announcement comes as Ace Winches reveals that international sales accounted for 75% of its annual turnover, with orders secured in Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Alfie Cheyne, chief executive of Ace Winches, said: “Kevin’s wealth of local, national and global experience in the corporate financial and investment sectors will be paramount to Ace Winches as we continue to grow our global presence.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) yesterday announced it had appointed Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, as a non-executive board member.
Ms Benzie joins the AECC board, which is made up of 13 members from industry, Aberdeen City Council and includes three members of the venue’s senior management team, this month.
EdGillespie, chairman of AECC’s board, commented: “We are delighted that Carol has joined AECC board, this is a very exciting time for the venue and having someone with the Carol’s expertise will be advantageous for the future vision of the company.”
Scottish Canals, the custodians of Scotland’s 250year-old inland waterways, yesterday announced the appointment of a new chairman.
Andrew Thin joined the board on April 1, replacing Dr Jon Hargreaves, who chaired the organisation through its birth as an independent public body in 2012.
Mr Thin is a former chairman of both Scottish Natural Heritage and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Aberdeen-based Dron& Dickson, specialists in design, supplyandmaintenance of hazardous area electrical equipment, has strengthened its management team with the appointment ofLennyCollins as HSEQ manager and Bruce McHattie as UK wholesales operations manager.