WYG chairman to step down

WHITE Young Green (WYG), the building, housing and environment consultant, has announced that Peter Wood – the firm’s chairman – is to step down from the role due to “important and personal and family reasons.”

Mr Wood had been spending more time with the business following a boardroom shuffle back in January, which saw Lawrie Haynes, chief executive of the Leeds-based group, leave by mutual agreement.

Chief operating officer Paul Hamer, who was then promoted to group managing director, will assume the role of chief executive with immediate effect.

WYG said in a statement: “The board wishes to thank Peter for his outstanding contribution and extends its best wishes to him and his family.”

Brian Duckworth, who has been a non-executive director of the group since 2005, will assume the role of non-executive chairman from April 1 2009 until the board makes a long term appointment in due course.

In addition, Bob Hartley is to resign as services director. Recruitment is underway for a successor.

In February the group, which consulted on the new stand at York Racecourse, said that a review of the company’s operations, including the loss of 235 staff, were part of a strategy designed to ensure the group emerged from the current economic downturn “fit for purpose”.

Increased attention on its international business had resulted in a record order book with wins continuing in key markets and sectors.

Key wins include social integration in Turkey, a World Trade Organisation commission in Ukraine, a road design in Poland and public administration reform in Romania.