People: Glazing services firm appoints new CEO; Manufacturer welcomes new chief exec; and more

Rotherham-based Façade & Glazing Solutions (FGS UK), which specialises in the design and installation of commercial facades and reactive glazing services, has appointed Craig McGilvray, as Chief Executive Officer.

McGilvray was previously Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Gas and Water business, where he was responsible for the leadership, strategy and growth of the £350m-revenue design and build contractor delivering engineering and project services to major UK and Irish utilities.

Prior to this, he was CEO of Emprise Services, a UK-based cleaning and security contractor, where he nearly doubled revenue while increasing profitability. His prior experience also includes CEO of Alfred McAlpine Business Services, a UK facilities management and projects contractor.

FGS UK provides façade and glazing services to companies including national retailers, facilities management groups, and property owners.

Projects include the Hiscox Building in York, the Nexus Building at the University of Leeds, the New Merrion House offices for Leeds City Council and the V&A Museum in Dundee.

McGilvray takes on the role of CEO, working alongside Dirk Jaspers, Director of Operations Europe at CoBe Capital who was acting Managing Director of FGS following the acquisition.

McGilvray said: “I’m joining FGS at an exciting stage in its development.  It has been operating for more than 25 years partnering with main contractors, facilities managers and property owners to provide a complete ‘glazing’ building life cycle solution.

“Now as an independent company it can continue to develop into a sustainable and successful business in the long term, delivering the best outcome for its customers and staff alike.”

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Pelsis, the Knaresborough-headquartered manufacturer of branded pest control products, has announced the appointment of Andrew Milner as CEO.

Milner joins from Northern Aerospace where he drove the sale of the business to Gardner Aerospace in 2018. He joins Pelsis on the opening day of the Group’s new Belgian site in Bornem, near Antwerp, replacing an existing Belgian site with a high specification distribution centre and offices.

Milner said: “I am looking forward to leading the Pelsis Group and continuing to drive the growth of the business globally, particularly at such an exciting time in the Group’s history.”

Milner replaces outgoing CEO, Peter Mangion, who oversaw the growth of the business from 2006, including eight acquisitions and the LDC-backed management buyout in 2017.

Pelsis completed a management buyout in August 2017, before further strengthening its position in the US and Europe with the acquisition of the Curtis Gilmour group of pest control product brands in August 2018.

Chris Thomas, Pelsis Group Chairman, said: “We welcome Andrew to the team and look forward to leveraging his extensive experience of change management to facilitate the ongoing integration of the Group’s recent acquisitions as we continue to drive an agenda of growth.”

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Law firm Keebles has bolstered its commercial property department with the appointment of a new partner.

The Sheffield-based firm has appointed Paul Russell to the team.

Russell’s experience spans high-value residential cases, business and residential leases, leasehold extensions and property finance. He is also adept in property taxation, investor advice and advising banks on security for loans.   

The 25-strong team, which includes five partners, is commissioned by clients including Harworth Group, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, St. Pauls Developments PLC and Crossbow Investments.

Richard Smith, head of Keebles’ commercial property department, said: “Paul’s strong track record and breadth and depth of experience highly complement our growing client portfolio. He joins us at a formative period in the firm’s development and we wish him every success.”

Russell added: “Keebles’ commercial property department has developed an enviable client portfolio and earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most highly regarded in Yorkshire. I’m looking forward to being part of its future growth.”

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Bowman Riley, the Leeds-based architectural firm, has restructured its senior management team with the promotion of five employees.

Joining the board of Directors is Caroline Fattorini, who has been with the company for the past two years and has delivered a challenging business plan during this time.

She has played a major role in driving forward the building consultancy team, which has grown in terms of team members, profitability and breadth of services.

A building surveyor by profession, Fattorini has over a decade’s commercial property experience. She is the first female shareholding Director to take a place on Bowman Riley’s board.

Taking the position of Director of London is Tony Pleasants, who has been leading the company’s London operations for the past six years. Starting his career at Bowman Riley 12 years ago, Pleasants went on to establish the company’s London office.

Colin Briggs, Dan Heward and Craig Mewse have all been promoted to the position of Associate Director.

Michael Feather, Director of Bowman Riley, said. “As we embark on our 51st year, it is important that we provide the best structure and management for our business and these promotions we will continue to grow and develop our service offering and place in the property and construction market in the coming years.”

Bowman Riley is a dynamic property consultancy with a team of 70 and three strong brands: architects, building consultancy and interior design working across the UK.