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04.03.2020

Ainscough CEO departs

We can now confirm that the recently appointed chief executive of UK based Ainscough Crane Hire, Jeremy Fry, has left the company, effective immediately.

He joined the company from his consultancy business Apollo Technology Partners in March last year on an interim basis. In January his position was confirmed as permanent, but he has suddenly left the business just two months later.

The company itself has not responded to our requests for official confirmation or comment. But we have now confirmed it beyond all doubt. As far as a replacement there are rumours that an internal appointment of a seasoned long term senior Ainscough manager is being considered for the role.
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Jeremy Fry


Fry started out in the healthcare business as European commercial director for Ventiv Healthcare, leaving in 2000 to join Allied Healthcare as managing director. In 2003 he was appointed chief executive of Advantage Healthcare group leaving to form the Apollo consultancy partnership in 2007. Over the next nine years he took up a number of short interim chief executive roles as a turnaround specialist, before being appointed as chief executive of Autologic Diagnostics in 2016.

Vertikal Comment

It is very unusual that a chief executive is let go just two months after his position was converted from interim to permanent. The company would certainly do well to consider the appointment of a well respected internal candidate who knows the business inside out.

If and when we do receive an official statement we will of course publish it here.

Comments

Alan Huddart
I still don't subscribe to the often-heard comment that crane hire is somehow different from any other type of business. It's not. The reference to "crane men" is a red-herring - anyone can run a business when times are good but it's only when the market declines or investors turn off the funding tap that the real leaders come to the fore to make more with less.

That said, as someone who has been in the rental business over 35 years I often wonder what would happen if we went back to the times when crane operators were paid for all the hours they got signed on their timesheets. I've seen guys in the 80's get 3 x 10 hour jobs signed for in one day and get paid a shed load of money. They were happy, the hire company was happy and crane drivers were the best salesman out there. Imagine if we went back to that!

Mar 11, 2020

HolyGrale
Why would you not move on if the regime is properly holding back, good managers at any level need good people around them, if things arent happening, you go somewhere who will appreciate new energy any and take things forward.

Mar 10, 2020

LTD
Tony you are probably correct but the current regime are not capable of making this company great again.
The gearing is too high, they are unable to be competitive - Too many staff positions on high salaries - They have recently tried to be competitive but it doesn’t fit the current model

Mar 9, 2020

HolyGrale
Hi,
As a response to LTD, these 4 moved on for better jobs with better companies.

Mar 9, 2020

Honestdougie
So many times we have seen the scenario when top positions are given to highly experienced executives, but have little or no knowledge of the Industry they have joined, especially Cranes & Plant.

Mar 9, 2020

LTD
The only way this company has any chance to survive is to bring back the “crane talent” they forced out some years ago. The owners need to make contact with the most experienced people in the business - Winter, Kernohan, Wathan, Hodgson who have all had previous with this company.
Maybe it’s too late, maybe it’s not!!

Mar 9, 2020

The Force
I think I owe an apology to all the red thumbs down viewers, I maybe should not of mentioned the sooner the likes of Sarens or Mammoet buy Ainscough out the better, how silly of me to think either of them would want to, when all they have to do is just sit back and wait till you bunch of clowns run it into the ground, then they will just step in and pick up the pieces. Appolagies to Sarens and Mammoet, I was obviously one of those crane minded guys who didn't understand the commercial side of things I guess if your in the real world you just have to live with it.

Mar 8, 2020

Shawny
Perhaps the shareholders of Ainscough had second thoughts for his commercial strategy to drive down the price of crane hire?? Losing too much money? Good luck to the next person, seems a bit of a poisoned chalice, living off an old reputation.

Mar 6, 2020

Sherm
Either he didn’t fit their profile or he saw the writing on the walls soon enough to leave while the going was good. Experienced consultants usually have an upper hand and would try to see the big picture. The way saucers spin on long dowels in corporate management it’s no wonder that the long haul vision is challenging to keep on steady course.

Mar 6, 2020

jimmerbo
Used to be a cracking company to work for. Ran by spreadsheet these days and not by those who know cranes. Shame really.

Mar 5, 2020

The Force
Stop pressing the red thumbs down, or I will let rip, Obviously Vertical.net and alcohol dont mix, we wont mention the wagon driver leaving Leyland yard at 14:00 on a Sunday travelling to Bolton services about 10 miles away max, parking up then going into Manchester for a 06:00am start Monday !!! Need I go on, Join the real world and get a grip of what is going on in your company you bunch of high flying morons. You have not got a clue, shut the doors if you cant cope.

Mar 5, 2020

The Force
Looks like one of those non crane guys don't like our comments Crane Lads, I've probably hit a raw nerve, they say the truth hurts, I've just heard a good friend of mine has just resigned from ACH north of the border to go to a small friendly crane hire firm, said he was sick of all the nonsense and shite, aswell as idol threats by his manager, I was there when they were needing em, not feeding em !! What a bunch of so and so,s the middle and upper management are, the sooner Mammoet or Sarens take them over and get rid of all the deadwood the better, and for the records I was a blue & white worker.

Mar 5, 2020

Crane lads
Maybe the owners have realised to run a crane business you need crane people. Unless you have been in the crane business you don't understand it it's not like any other business.

Mar 5, 2020

The Force
When will it all end, I worked there for many years when it was ran by crane minded people used to working in the industry, apparently the commercial side of things were not up to scratch, but did they need to replace ALL the crane guys with accountants ? It would appear that if you drank in the same pub as on of the new staff members weather you knew anything about crane or not,you could have a job there (jobs for the boys )If the next internal guy they have in mind has any knowledge of cranes what so ever they are probably putting him on the front line to be the next for the chop, There are a few there now already stood on the trap door. So who ever you are next I would LEEve this opportunity for someone else. A damn good firm gone to the dog,s that was originally put on the map by a great team of white and blue workers with a want to do attitude. Who have all been let down by this so called new management.

Mar 5, 2020

Grumpy
Maybe it’s no fun being CEO of a worker’s cooperative.

Mar 5, 2020

Crane lads
This is the right way to go get people who know the crane business to run it.ainscough is a strong brand just need the right people to complete the jigsaw.

Mar 5, 2020

whothistime
Does he know something that the rest of the Ainscough employees don't know ? Should they know or should they be worried?

Mar 5, 2020