JCB extends family connection with new appointment

THE son of JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford has been named as new managing director of the Staffordshire excavator manufacturer’s Compact Products division.

The appointment of Jo Bamford, who succeeds Chris Spring, is effective from November 1.

Mr Bamford, 33, was educated at Ampleforth College and is a Master of Arts graduate from the University of Edinburgh. After graduation, he spent two years as a fund manager with New Star Asset Management in the City of London. He joined JCB in 2002 as a Product Specialist for the company’s skid steer product range, based at JCB’s North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

For the past eight years, he has been managing director of JCB Utility Products, based in Cheadle, where he has successfully broadened the appeal of the company’s utility product range to new industry sectors.

A particular career highlight has been the successful launch of the JCB WORKMAX range of utility vehicles (UTVs), which has created new global markets for the firm in sectors such as leisure, sports and estates management.

Mr Bamford has also been responsible for the company’s successful diversification into power generators.

In his new role, he will continue to retain responsibility for JCB Utility Products – operations with a combined turnover in excess of £150m.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Bamford said: “I am taking over as managing director of JCB Compact Products at a pivotal moment. The business is going from strength to strength and we have some exciting new product innovations coming through in the next couple of years, which will strongly improve our market position. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Sir Anthony Bamford said: “JCB Compact Products is an important part of our business and I am delighted that Jo is taking on the role of managing director. His considerable experience in developing new products and markets will be of huge benefit to JCB Compact Products as the business embarks upon the next phase of its growth under his leadership.”