People News

Klipboard appoints chief customer support officer

Oliver Stanley 16th January 2026 People News Comments Off on Klipboard appoints chief customer support officer

Klipboard

Klipboard, a provider of business software solutions, has announced the appointment of Chris Tocher as chief customer support officer, Tocher, joined Klipboard in September 2025 in preparation for former chief Chris Owen’s retirement. Since joining, he has led Klipboard’s Technical Support, Cloud Hosting, Managed Services, Professional Services and Client Success …

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Mark Vitow appoints business development manager

Oliver Stanley 16th January 2026 People News Comments Off on Mark Vitow appoints business development manager

Mark Vitow Ltd appoints Business Development Manager for FlowPro Macerators

Mark Vitow Ltd has announced the appointment of Cal Mc Carthy as business development manager for its FlowPro Macerators brand. Mc Carthy joins the business with a commercial background and will focus on supporting the continued growth of the macerator range and strengthening FlowPro’s presence in the market. Commercial director …

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Burdens promotes director of technical solutions

Oliver Stanley 14th January 2026 People News Comments Off on Burdens promotes director of technical solutions

Burdens

Burdens, part of Wolseley Infrastructure, has announced the promotion of Mark Gillies to director of technical solutions, a newly expanded role that will oversee the business’ geotechnical and water management solutions. Gillies joined Burdens in 2018 as business development director for Geotechnics, and has played a key role in establishing …

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BMF Ambassador Group appoints new chair

Oliver Stanley 14th January 2026 People News Comments Off on BMF Ambassador Group appoints new chair

New Chair for BMF Ambassador Group

The BMF (Builders Merchant Federation) has appointed Gavin Crane, chief executive of construction charity Band of Builders, as chair of the BMF Ambassador Group. Crane leads the UK charity dedicated to supporting construction workers and their families through practical projects, financial support and mental health services. Since joining Band of …

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Okarno appoints new managing director

Oliver Stanley 13th January 2026 People News Comments Off on Okarno appoints new managing director

new MD at Okarno

Okarno, a fulfilment partner within the Saint-Gobain group, has appointed Ross Baxter as managing director to spearhead its next phase of growth. Baxter brings over twenty years of experience in logistics and commercial leadership, and is focused on positioning Okarno for growth and strengthening its role as the supply chain …

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EH Smith announces leadership appointements

Oliver Stanley 13th January 2026 People News Comments Off on EH Smith announces leadership appointements

John Cave has been appointed group chief executive officer of EH Smith

Builders’ merchant EH Smith is strengthening its long-term future through a series of leadership appointments at Group holdings level. Following a review of the EH Smith Holdings Board, John Cave has been appointed group chief executive officer, Mark Mallinder has become group development director, Chloe Cave has been appointed as …

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STARK UK appoints JPS managing director amidst reorganisation

Oliver Stanley 9th January 2026 People News Comments Off on STARK UK appoints JPS managing director amidst reorganisation

STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK) has appointed Fiona Perrin as Managing Director of Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS). Perrin brings a wealth of rich and relevant experience, having built her career in merchanting, manufacturing and several public sector organisations. She has worked in numerous customer-facing, sales and marketing, and business leadership roles, positioning her well to lead JPS into the next phase of its growth journey. Over the past 30+ years, Fiona has held a number of senior leadership positions in the industry, including Chairman of the Independent Builders Merchant Group in its early days and Managing Director level roles in HSS Hire. Relevant to JPS, she’s been a Non-Executive Director at housing association Coastline Housing and Sentry Doors, a fire safety business supplying into social housing across the UK. In addition, she’s had roles at the European Rental Association, site tech specialist Reactec, and Parker Building Supplies. With additional and extensive specialist experience in leading ESG strategy and bid management, STARK UK will benefit from Fiona’s breadth of strategic leadership, operational and sales and marketing expertise. She will report into John Carter, Chief Executive Officer of STARK UK, thereby also joining the UK Executive team. Elsewhere in the business, Ranald Forbes, Chief Logistics Officer, will support MBS, which will continue to be led by Fraser Neve as Managing Director. Forbes brings deep expertise in transport and logistics that will further support the company’s growth plans with national housebuilders. As National Operations Director – Strategic Projects, Neil Grindley will assume responsibility for Normans, supporting Martina McGibney as Managing Director of the Jersey-based business, which has its roots and heritage dating back 185 years on the island. The team will benefit from Grindley’s breadth of experience with Jewson and his leadership of the company’s ‘Branch of the Future’ programme and Tool Hire business. John Carter, CEO for STARK UK, said: “We are committed to supporting the building and construction industry, across all of the sectors in which its businesses operate. “To support our growth plans for our specialist businesses, we are bringing the additional expertise and targeted experience needed to accelerate the transformation of JPS, MBS and Normans, so that we are well positioned to deliver the propositions that our customers in these markets need from their preferred builders’ merchant and materials distributor. “As a result of this reorganisation, our Executive Director – Business Development for STARK UK, Mark Esling, will be leaving the business. We thank Mark for his contributions to the company and wish him every success for the future.” Fiona added: “This is a once in a lifetime role, bringing together both my experience and passion for social housing. JPS is a very successful business, helping every day to provide decent homes and communities across the UK. With the backing of STARK Group – Europe's leader in building materials distribution – as well as our innovations and ESG commitments that lead the market, we’re going to achieve great things.”

STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK) has appointed Fiona Perrin as managing director of Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS). Perrin has held a number of senior leadership positions in the industry, including chairman of the Independent Builders Merchant Group in its early days and managing director level roles in HSS Hire. …

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Geberit appoints new national sales director

Oliver Stanley 8th January 2026 People News Comments Off on Geberit appoints new national sales director

Geberit appoints new National Sales Director for UK & Ireland

Geberit UK & Ireland has announced the appointment of Matthew Balnaves as its new national sales director Balnaves joins Geberit from wienerberger, succeeding Andy Lever, who was recently appointed managing director following the retirement of Mark Larden. In his new role, Balnaves will be responsible for leading Geberit’s national sales …

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ERA appoints customer service and internal sales director

Oliver Stanley 6th January 2026 People News Comments Off on ERA appoints customer service and internal sales director

ERA has appointed Sheena Kotecha as its new customer service and internal sales director.

Security hardware manufacturer ERA has appointed Sheena Kotecha as its new customer service and internal sales director. Her focus for the ERA product brand will be on ensuring customer satisfaction across the board, based on reviewing processes and implementing wider business plans to the benefit of customers. Kotecha comments “It’s …

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BPF pipes group appoints new president

Oliver Stanley 6th January 2026 People News Comments Off on BPF pipes group appoints new president

Chris Ainger becomes BPF pipes group president

Chris Ainger, managing director of Naylor Drainage Ltd, has been appointed president of the BPF Pipes Group. Ainger brings more than 20 years of expertise in operational excellence, strategic growth and stakeholder leadership with a strong record of improving performance, quality and sustainability across complex manufacturing environments, having joined Naylor …

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