Entwistle brings a track record of growing and developing businesses, most recently as CEO of property services group, Knight Square Holdings and prior to that as Managing Director of BT Fleet, a specialist fleet management business.
Richardson, who is stepping down after over three years at the helm, will support Entwistle over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
She said: “In my first few weeks I will be meeting employees, customers and key partners to understand how the business works and what we can do to make Ainscough even better”.
Ainscough Group, including Ainscough Crane Hire, James Jack Lifting Services and Ainscough Wind Energy Services, has been owned by USA-based Oaktree Capital Management since March 2015.