Crown Paints Group, the UK and Ireland’s largest independent paint manufacturer, is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Davidson as Group Chief Executive Officer. Brian will commence his new role on 7 December.
Brian’s appointment follows a highly successful first year under new ownership for the Group, led by Graham Hallworth as Executive Chairman. Although Graham will step down from the executive and Chairman role once Brian is in place, he will remain involved as a strategic advisor, enabling him to continue with his other business interests and responsibilities.
Brian joins Crown Paints Group from Alexander Dennis (ADL), the UK’s largest bus and coach manufacturer and Western Europe’s fastest growing business in the sector. Prior to his role as Chief Operating Officer at ADL, Brian was CEO and Chairman of Plaxton Holdings Limited where he led the highly successful management buy-out and ultimate sale to ADL. Brian has an outstanding leadership track record with successful businesses.
Graham has led Crown Paints through an important twelve months since it achieved independence from Akzo Nobel in September 2008 following the buy-out backed by the private equity firm, Endless LLP. Despite challenging market conditions and a complex separation from Crown’s former owners, the business has achieved excellent results under Graham’s leadership, with an exciting platform for future growth and development.
Strengthening the management team has been a key part of the Group’s strategy since its independence and recruiting a new high-calibre CEO is fundamental to this. The CEO position was kept open until the ideal candidate was available and it is for this reason that the Group is excited about Brian’s appointment to the role.
Brian Davidson said “I am delighted to be joining Crown Paints at such an exciting time in the development of the business. Crown Paints has fantastic brands with great products and I am looking forward to working with the team to enhance our customer experience, building on the good work already completed by Graham Hallworth.”
Graham Hallworth said “Following the acquisition by Endless in September 2008 the Company faced some significant challenges; I am pleased to say they are either dealt with or are well on the road to a satisfactory outcome. It has been a tough but enjoyable fourteen months in which the team have worked extremely hard, the result of which is a much stronger business”
Warwick Ley, Partner at Endless LLP, said “Graham has been an exceptional leader of Crown Paints during its first year of independence, bringing renewed vigour, focus and energy to the organisation. We are delighted with the progress of our investment and are excited about Brian leading the business through its next stage of development.”
Brian’s appointment follows other new senior recruits who have joined Crown Paints during 2009 including Mike Polkinghorn as Operations Director from Sherwin Williams and Darryl Senior as Purchasing Director from Damartex and Sigma Kalon.
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