Appointments: New CEO takes the helm at infrastructure firm; Associate director promotions at finance recruiters and architects
A new chief executive is taking over the role at utility infrastructure business Fulcrum, along with a raft of other top table appointments.
Martin Harrison, formerly chief financial officer at the Sheffield-based firm, has taken the reins as of yesterday, replacing outgoing CEO, Martin Donnachie, who announced he was standing down earlier this year.
Fulcrum’s group financial controller, Hazel Griffiths, succeeds him as CFO. Ian Foster has been appointed as chief operating officer. Ian Foster has worked within the Fulcrum business for over 14 years and is a veteran with over 35 years within the UK utilities industry, having worked for British Gas and National Grid.
Harrison joined the business three years ago, and since then has overseen a record profit before tax of £6.5m, compared to £4.3m in 2016.
Prior to joining Fulcrum,he was divisional finance director of Lafarge Tarmac Contracting from 2010 to 2014 and prior to that he spent three years with KPMG, working on merger and acquisition and corporate restructuring, and 11 years with Saint Gobain / BPB plc.
Martin Harrison, Fulcrum CEO, said: “I am very proud to become CEO at an exciting time in the Company’s development. Fulcrum is well positioned to grow sustainably in the utility services market with a balanced approach across the different routes to market, asset ownership and a commitment to efficient safe operations and customer service.
“Looking forward, the opportunities for further improvement and value creation remain attractive. We are confident about the growth opportunities and our ability to leverage our robust and scalable operating platform. We believe the outlook remains positive and that the Company continues to be well positioned to make sustained progress in the years ahead.”
Finance recruitment business Woodrow Mercer Finance, a joint venture between FDYL, the Yorkshire-based financial consultancy and recruitment specialist, and Birmingham-based recruiter Woodrow Mercer, has hired a new associate director.
David Clark has been appointed at the firm’s Leeds office as it continues to grow its specialist team.
He joins from Michael Page where he spent nine years, working as a business manager for the last four years in its interim finance division in West Yorkshire.
In his new role with Woodrow Mercer Finance, he will continue to act as an interim specialist for senior finance appointments at qualified level across Yorkshire, working with partner James Roach.
Woodrow Mercer Finance partner James Roach added: “Since partnering with Woodrow Mercer last November, we have seen rapid growth in what is a very buoyant market.
“We are finding that our reputation as well-established specialists in finance recruitment who really understand the needs of our clients is leading to increased demand for our services.
“Consequently David, with his expertise in interim finance recruitment, will be a welcome addition to the team.”
Senior architect Chris Yorke has been promoted to associate director at MHA Architects.
Yorke joined MHA in 2007 from Manchester, moving to the company’s Sheffield office in January 2016 to head up the team.
He has more 10 years’ experience advising a variety of clients predominantly in the residential and education sectors.
Director, Ian Thorp commented: “We are delighted with Chris’ promotion which is well deserved. Chris has been instrumental in successfully developing our Sheffield office.
“We continue to see an increase in residential activity and Chris and the team are providing an excellent level of service to our clients.”
