NG Bailey appoints veteran as non-exec chairman

The former chief executive of Bradford-based Yorkshire Water will replace Peter ‘Nimble’ Thompson, who stands down in July after 12 years in the role.

David Hurcomb, CEO, told the Yorkshire Post that the appointment is of “key strategic significance” to the group, which is diversifying into new sectors.

Latest accounts show NG Bailey is back in the black after reducing its exposure to the troubled construction industry.

The mechanical and electrical services group is finding growth in sectors like rail, facilities management and IT services and last year posted a 12 per cent rise in turnover to £464m.

NG Bailey reported a pre-tax profit of £7.2m in the year ending February 2012, reversing a loss of £4.2m the previous year.

Mr Hurcomb said the group will continue to diversify and expand its services into new areas, including the utility sector.

He added: “Kevin’s experience and understanding of this area in particular will be invaluable as we continue to drive our growth.”

Mr Whiteman served as CEO of Yorkshire Water and parent Kelda Group for eight years, during its listing on the FTSE-250 and subsequent sale to a consortium of international investors.

The former miner said: “I am delighted to accept this position with NG Bailey to help the company navigate what promises to be an exciting, yet challenging, period of growth and expansion.”

His past roles include chief executive of the National Rivers Authority and regional director for the Environment Agency.

Mr Thompson, a prominent Leeds lawyer, said: “I am very proud to have held the position for 12 years, which is a long time to contribute to any business.

“I have really enjoyed my time with the company and I am delighted by Kevin’s appointment.

“He will bring a fresh perspective, adding further strength and experience to the board. He holds a wealth of utility industry experience, as well as strategic and operational insight – all of which will benefit the business.”

Mr Whiteman started his career at the coalface in South Wales and worked his way up to become the country’s youngest colliery manager in 1984, in the time of the strikes that pitted working men against Margaret Thatcher’s Government.

He joined Yorkshire Water in 1997 when the firm had one of the worst reputations in the sector with water shortages and big payouts to its executives.

He became a key part of the management team that led the turnaround and was later appointed CEO.

Mr Whiteman, who won the Yorkshire Post Individual Award for Excellence in 2011, has said: “If I have any talent, it’s that I can talk to a bunch of guys on a sewage works in Sheffield and I can talk to a bunch of investors in Singapore.”

He joined NG Bailey as a non-executive director on April 1 and will spend four months with the business before Mr Thompson “hands over the reins” on July 31.

Mr Whiteman’s roles as non-executive chairman of Kelda Group and Yorkshire Water are unaffected, said a spokeswoman.

Mr Thompson will continue his other non-executive directorship roles for Skipton Building Society, Henderson Insurance Brokers and Rushbond.

Under Mr Hurcomb, NG Bailey has cut operating costs across the group and last year all five divisions returned to profit.

The downturn has claimed some of NG Bailey’s rivals, illustrating the challenges of operating in a market with high risk, low margin contracts.

Mr Hurcomb, a former Carillion director, joined NG Bailey as CEO in 2010. He followed acting CEO Chris Newton, the former finance director, and Mark Andrews, who left as CEO in 2009.

NG Bailey announced another big boardroom appointment in December with the hiring of Peter Emery as a non-executive board member.

The production director at Drax was brought in to help with the group’s charge into the power, industrial and energy sec- tors.

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