Former Wolseley plc director Andy McEwan was appointed as Vivalda Group CEO in January. In the same month, at the company’s annual sales conference, he set out his vision and laid out plans to expand the business in three key areas; growing the product range, attracting new customers and building new branches.

While Peter Johnson continues as Group Chairman and majority shareholder, former Managing Director Ben Jayes will continue to play a roving role across the group and retains an interest as a key shareholder and plc board member.

Johnson said: “Firstly I want to put on the record my admiration for my friend and colleague Ben Jayes whose skill, courage and dedication forged the business into the leading force we see today. When you recall the wider economic crises of the last fifteen years, Ben has successfully navigated each one with aplomb. He and I look forward to continuing our successful relationship, this time on the back benches, offering the benefit of all that experience whenever it may be requested by Andy.

“Having made it through the last recession, the financial crisis, Brexit, the pandemic and the recent hikes in energy costs, we continue to be a profitable, successful enterprise that puts its people first. However, having achieved a turnover of £40m this year, we know that to get to the next level the business needs an input of new ideas along with the right leader to implement them.

“Having spent nearly a year searching for the right person I am delighted to have confirmed Andy McEwan’s position as Group CEO. Andy has an unrivalled track record within the construction products sector cutting his teeth at Wolseley plc, and more recently fulfilling a senior role within VPS, the site security specialist. Andy brings fresh thinking and real passion to Vivalda Group as we embark on the exciting next phase of its growth, and all the while retaining our strong values of professionalism, integrity and teamwork.”

McEwan added: “With 11 locations across the UK, Vivalda has a tremendous reputation as the UK’s leading supplier of non-flammable rainscreen cladding systems. Now approaching its 25^th anniversary, the business has very positive culture, which is reflected by its approach to customers and suppliers alike. Given this strong foundation, I believe there are significant opportunities for the business to expand, most notably in terms of the range of products it offers, the customers it serves and the geography from which it operates.

“Looking ahead, there are huge opportunities for Vivalda to operate much more as a single entity while getting even closer to suppliers and customers.”