24.11.2007

Nationwide MD goes

Peter Whittall, managing director of Nationwide Access since September 2006, is to leave the business following a mutual agreement with the company.

Whittall moved into the managing director’s role from his previous position as HR director, replacing Hugh Cole who moved to a strategic role, before leaving the group.
Please register to see all images

Peter Whittall

At that time Whittall reported directly to Lavendon group CEO Kevin Appleton. In June Andy Wright, who had joined Lavendon in January from Aggreko, was appointed as managing director of Lavendon UK with overall responsibility for Nationwide and the regional acquisitions.

It seems that Whittall’s departure is tied up with the fact that he did not feel that he fitted in with the changing nature of the managing director’s role at Nationwide.
Although his departure might have been driven by a difference of opinion on the development of Nationwide and its management structure he is parting on amicable terms and not with any urgency.

Peter Douglas, Nationwide’s Commercial director, who has also managed the Skylift truck mounted division for some time, will take on Whittall’s day to day responsibilities reporting to Wright.

Vertikal Comment

Commenting on management changes is fraught with difficulties, however, having said that it is worth noting that since the company changed its management structure back to a more traditional one, almost a year ago, Nationwide has gone from strength to strength, winning back a number of customers and generating a very positive “buzz” again within the business.

It was also clear that the management structure at the top was not as clear and straightforward as it might have been and that the role is not the same as that of a managing director of an independent company, particularly as an increasing amount of back office functions are handled by Lavendon UK.

Whittall has overseen a strong recovery at Nationwide, for which he must take a great deal of the credit. One assumes that the changes and strategies implemented a year ago will continue, both Douglas and Wright are intelligent and experienced managers and are likely to build on what has been achieved.