NEWS
SURGO APPOINTS NEW MD
SURGO has announced a board level appointment with James Walker becoming managing director, effective from 1 November.
James takes over the role from his father, Ian Walker, a well known and much
respected figure within the regional construction sector, who will continue to
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play a major role in the strategic development of the company as its chairman.
The announcement of the appointment is in line with a long term succession plan agreed with the board of directors some years ago. Mr Walker said:
“It personally gives me immense satisfaction to see James taking over as managing director. I have recently turned 60 and it has always been part of our succession strategy that I would relinquish the role of MD and continue as chairman at that time, with James taking over as MD. However, I will be on hand to provide support for the foreseeable future.
“This traditional but forward thinking approach has allowed us to maintain many longstanding relationships whilst expanding into new markets.
“The previous construction directors all passed on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of younger directors before retirement and it is no different today. When James was promoted to the board in 2005, his was one of three board-level appointments along with Jeff Charlton and Jeff Alexander.
“We will remain a small board and have no plans or need to extend the current management structure.”
Upon his appointment to the board in 2005, James became SURGO’s youngest board member, aged 28.
Since that time, he has not only been responsible for the profitability and timely hand over of some of SURGO’s major contracts including the recently completed Bede Academy, Blyth and the Playhouse Theatre, Whitley Bay as well as a number of residential and commercial schemes, but has also had front line responsibility for heading up the quantity surveying division and winning new work for the company.
Commenting on his new appointment, he added: “SURGO has continued to weather the economic climate well by focusing on its core business – the smaller £1m to £5m projects which have been the bedrock for our growth over the years – alongside the acquisition of larger, multi million pound contracts.
“With the support of my fellow directors, my ambition as managing director is to lead the company to further success in this manner by continuing to place a high value on our greatest asset – our employees - encouraging them to develop to their full potential and rewarding them for the positive contribution they make to our success."
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