EH Smith announces leadership appointements

13th January 2026 People News 19 Views

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 group people and culture director, and Mark Leinster has taken on the role of group property director.

The changes reflect succession planning rather than structural change for the family-run business.

Mark Setchell continues to lead the Builders Merchants business as managing director and John Parker will continue in his role as group chairman.

Parker comments: “These changes build on the commitment and enthusiasm of the next generation for our family business. I am delighted to see the future in safe hands as we work together in the coming years.”

Tags

About Oliver Stanley

Assistant Editor, Builders Merchants Journal - BMJ

Check Also

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 UK appoints JPS managing director amidst reorganisation

STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK) has appointed Fiona Perrin as managing director of Jewson …

© Copyright 2026, Builders Merchant Journal. Datateam Business Media Limited