13.02.2017

New MD for Nationwide Platforms

Lavendon has appointed Wayne Smith as managing director of its UK subsidiary, Nationwide Platforms replacing Jeremy Fish who moves to telehandler rental company Ardent at the end of February.

Smith joined the company as corporate strategy director in May 2016, See new corporate development role for Lavendon previously working at Aggreko for two and a half years as business development director. Before that he spent almost 10 years with cement group LaFarge in China, South East Asia and North America. His earlier career was spent with McMaster-Carr Supply and Accenture.
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Wayne Smith

Chief executive Don Kenny said: “The appointment of Wayne provides the UK business with strong leadership and expertise. Wayne has worked closely with the business since joining us last year and has been involved in a number of operational and strategic initiatives. I have no doubt he will make a positive impact on the business and I look forward to working with him in growing and developing the Nationwide Platform brand further."

Vertikal Comment
It looks as though Aggreko is now a training ground for senior managers in the UK crane and access rental industry. Jeremy Fish was a previous Aggreko alumni as was ex-Ainscough managing director Robin Richardson and now Smith.

It is a little surprising that the company did not promote any candidates from within Nationwide to the top job, given that it has some mid managers. Although Smith already has nine months experience of the company and would by now have gained a good feel for the business, as the business will of him.

With Loxam looking to take over the business it is an interesting time to be working for Lavendon.