Stewart Milne Group, announced that, after 30 years with the group, chief executive, Glenn Allison, is retiring in March 2019 and will be replaced by Stuart MacGregor.
Mr MacGregor has been working closely with Mr Allison for the last two years, in his position as chief operating officer.
With a turnover of more than £280m, the independent, award-winning housebuilder and timber systems manufacturer recently reported major improvements in trading performance and a return to profit with further planned growth across the business over the years ahead.
Stewart Milne, chairman, said: “This new appointment comes at a very exciting time for the group. We’ve turned a corner following several difficult years which have seen us balance our investment in growing our geographical footprint in central Scotland and North-west England and our timber systems business against a decline in North-east Scotland, historically our largest market.
"I’m really pleased that our ambitious plans have paid off and we have grown our group turnover by a third over the last two years alone. We’re now in a very strong position with a more balanced portfolio of developments across those geographic regions where demand for housing is strongest and continued growth in our timber systems business which is meeting the increasing demand for off-site construction solutions.
“This is down to the hard work of everyone in the group but especially the senior management team, led by Glenn. He and I have worked closely together for over three decades during which we’ve grown and evolved the business, through good times and bad. He has been instrumental to the on-going success of the business and I am incredibly grateful to him for all his hard work, support, counsel and expertise over these years. He will be greatly missed and the whole group wishes him an enjoyable and rewarding retirement.
“Thanks to his leadership, we’re firmly on track with our ambitious growth strategy and well into our transition plan. With Stuart, working alongside the managing directors of the homes’ and timber systems’ businesses, we’ve got a talented and experienced senior executive team, with both the ambition and capabilities to drive further growth.
“Working closely with Glenn, Stuart has played a pivotal role in driving success across the business over the last four years, ensuring that we remain on track to deliver our strategy. Having worked closely with him throughout this time, I know he will be an excellent chief executive and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the team towards achieving the objectives of our current five year growth strategy.”
Mr MacGregor joined the business as group finance director in 2015. He has over 25 years’ experience in business and finance leadership roles, including a successful 15-year career with global brewing giant Heineken, where he worked in several European countries and the UK.
Commenting on his new role, Mr MacGregor added: “I am pleased and honoured to take up my new role in March. I know I’ve got big shoes to fill in replacing Glenn who has made such an impact on the business but I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a very exciting time to be part of an independent housebuilder which has demonstrated agility and ability to react boldly but prudently to market conditions. Through determination, innovation and resilience, we’ve become market leaders in timberframe and leaders in shaping and designing new homes and communities in which people want to live.”
Glenn Allison hands over the SMG reins to Stuart MacGregor