Veteran Scottish director David Shearer, the former head of Deloitte in Scotland, has joined the board of Carlisle-based Stobart Group, the aviation, energy and civil engineering group, as a non-executive director and chairman-elect.
The move comes as Speedy, the UK's leading tools and plant hire group, chaired by Shearer, appoints Rhian Bartlett as a non-executive director.
Rhian Bartlett is customer and digital director at Screwfix Direct, a Kingfisher company, having held the position of commercial director. Bartlett was director UK trading at eBay, and held various positions with Sainsbury plc, including business unit director and head of on-line merchandising) and was a category manager and head of online marketing at Homebase. She will also serve as a member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees.
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Shearer said: "Rhian has extensive digital trading, commercial and multi-site experience and is joining Speedy at a time when we are further developing our digital platform and presence. Her skills will be invaluable in this area and I am delighted to welcome her to the Board."
Meanwhile Shearer, who will join Stobbart’s nomination committee, will take over as chairman when Iain Ferguson steps down after the annual Meeting.
Shearer is a well-known independent director and corporate financier. Apart from chairing Speedy Hire, he is chair of the Scottish Edge Fund and Aberdeen New Dawn Investment Trust plc. He will stand down from Aberdeen New Dawn Investment Trust plc at the end of September.
David was previously the senior partner of Deloitte LLP for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a UK executive board member of the firm. He has subsequently held the positions of co-chairman of Martin Currie, chairman of Mouchel Group and Crest Nicholson and a non-executive director of City Inn Limited. He is also non-executive chairman of Liberty Living Group and Liberty Living Finance, senior independent director of Renold, STV and Superglass and non-executive director of Mithras Investment Trust.
Stobart owns airports including Carlisle Lake District, Durham Tees Valley and London Southend.
Iain Ferguson, Chairman, Stobart Group, said: "I am pleased to be handing over as chairman to David after the next AGM. He has considerable experience which will help chief executive Warwick Brady and the team to implement the group's strategy and deliver our ambitious growth targets.
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He said Stobart Group is a much-changed business since I joined six years ago, and one that is now very focused and well-positioned to deliver value to shareholders. “I wish David, Warwick and all their colleagues every success in the future."
Shearer said: "I am delighted to be joining the board of Stobart Group as it executes its strategy. Two things are clear to me. Firstly, that Stobart Group is successfully growing two excellent businesses: aviation and energy. Secondly, that there is a need to unify the shareholders behind the strategy. I look forward to working with Warwick Brady and the Board in growing long-term value for all shareholders."
