AFTER 26 years at the helm of Grafton Group, Michael Chadwick, its executive chairman, has decided to step back from his day-to-day involvement with the builders merchant and DIY company.
Grafton yesterday announced that Briton Gavin Slark will join it on April 1st as chief executive designate before taking on the role full time from July 1st.
He was previously group chief executive of BSS Group plc, a UK distributor to specialist trades including the plumbing, heating and construction sectors.
Mr Chadwick will continue as chairman of the board in a non-executive capacity.
In addition, chief operating officer Leo Martin will retire at the end of 2011. Mr Martin was due to step down in August, when he will be 60.
But he has agreed to remain with the business until the end of this year to help “familiarise” Mr Slark with the companys activities, particularly in Ireland.
Mr Martin is a former chief executive of Heiton Group, a listed Irish merchanting and DIY business that Grafton acquired in January 2005.
Grafton said yesterday that Mr Chadwick had advised its board “some time ago” of his plan to retire as an executive once a successor had been found.
Mr Slark (45), was appointed group chief executive of BSS in 2006 following periods as chief operating officer and managing director of the company’s largest operating division – plumbing trade supplies.
He helped BSS to open 160 new outlets and complete several acquisitions. It was acquired by Travis Perkins last year.
Mr Chadwick said Mr Slark’s “priority will be to keep Grafton focused on meeting the challenge of an uncertain economic climate while positioning the group for future growth”.
