Portakabin builds with new CEO

MODULAR building manufacturer Portakabin Group, part of York-based Shepherd Group, has named Derek Carter as the company’s new chief executive.

The appointment of Mr Carter follows the retirement of Stephen Price after 17 years as managing director and then executive chairman of Portakabin. Mr Price remains as a non-executive director of Shepherd Group.

Mr Carter has taken overall responsibility for brands which include Portakabin, Yorkon, Portaloo, Konstructa and Foremans, which have operations in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland.

Mr Carter, who is also a board director of the Shepherd Group, said: “Portakabin has a fantastic heritage and a long-standing pivotal role in both the UK construction industry and in British manufacturing. It continues to be the pioneer in off-site construction and to break new ground with the speed, scale, complexity, efficiency and sustainability of its building solutions.

“I have joined an exciting, forward-thinking company which delivers buildings of the highest quality, consistently on time and to budget, in some of the most challenging situations – all of which remain fundamental to this great British brand. We will continue to build on its strength and reputation while growing existing markets and expanding into new markets in Europe and ultimately internationally.”

An accountant by profession, Mr Carter joins Portakabin having spent the past 27 years in the leisure marine sector.

Portakabin was established in York more than 50 years ago. It now boasts modular manufacturing centres in York and in France.

It supplied around 600 buildings for the London 2012 Olympic Games.