Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders and plumbers merchant group Wolsleley is looking for a new UK managing director with the departure of Rob Marchbanks, the European CEO who was also the UK business’ md.
Marchbank’s departure is because the group has abolished the role of CEO of Europe in order to “get greater focus on business unit performance and accelerate decision making in response to local market conditions”, a statement said this morning.
The regional Managing Directors in the UK, France and Nordic regions will now report to Ian Meakins, Group CEO, who will also assume overall operational responsibility for the UK until a UK managing director is appointed.
Marchbank has spent over 27 years in the construction materials distribution industry, joining Ferguson as a management trainee in 1982. He was appointed CEO, Europe in January 2005, and in July 2008 he took on the additional responsibilities of Managing Director of Wolseley UK when Nigel Sibley left the group.
In other changes, Steve Webster is stepping down as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and as an Executive Director on 31 March 2010. He will be replaced by John Martin who joins Wolseley from Alchemy Partners where he has been a partner since 2008. Previously, he was CFO at Travelex Group – Meakin’s former company – between 2006 and 2008.
Meakins said: “I am delighted that John Martin will be joining the Company. I have worked with him before and we were pleased to have been able to attract someone of his calibre and expertise. I am confident John’s operational skills and experience will make a significant contribution to the future development of Wolseley.”
“I would like to thank Steve Webster for his dedicated service over the last 15 years. He has given valuable support and service to Wolseley and the management of the Company. I am personally grateful to Steve for the help and assistance given to me and we wish him well for the future.”
“On behalf of the Board I would like to recognise Rob Marchbank’s significant contribution to the Group over a long career, including nearly three years as CEO, Europe. In particular, the Board is grateful for his stewardship of the UK business through one of the most difficult periods in its history. We wish him well for the future.”
