Edwards appoints new ceo and cfo to drive future growth
The Board of Directors has announced changes to executive management
Nigel Hunton, who has been chief executive for the past four years, will take over the role of chairman with immediate effect.
Matthew Taylor will become ceo and David Smith, cfo. Taylor and Smith, who previously worked together in senior management positions at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), and Ford Europe, bring extensive international leadership experience to Edwards.
Taylor was most recently the group chief executive officer of JC Bamford Excavators, the market leading global construction equipment company, where he worked from 2006. Previously he spent over 20 years with Ford, culminating in his role as md of Land Rover.
Smith brings 25 years blue-chip international experience with Ford and JLR, the last 13 years in cfo or ceo positions. Following his time as cfo of JLR, he went on to become ceo of the business from 2008-2010, during which time he steered it successfully through the complex ownership transition from Ford to Tata. Prior to JLR, David was finance and business strategy director, Premier Auto Group and Ford Europe.
Edwards employs around 3000 people worldwide in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment, as well as providing a wide range of other pumping technologies and related products. As chairman, Nigel Hunton will continue his active involvement in the business, advising the Board of Directors and the new ceo and focusing in particular on key customers, new product and market opportunities.
The Board is also announcing that, as part of these changes, the current finance director, Chris Bradley, has decided to leave the company. The Board would like to thank Chris for his very strong contribution to the business over the past 8 years.
Nigel Hunton, commented, “I am pleased to welcome Matthew and David to Edwards and look forward to working with them as we continue to deliver success for the company. 2010 is shaping up to be the best year in our 91 year history built on our restructuring actions, new products and new emerging markets. Edwards now has a broader and stronger management team to deliver successfully high technology solutions for our customers and capitalise on opportunities in all our markets”
