Shouksmiths

Changes at Shouksmiths' York Division as the company plans for the future

Thursday, 23rd September 2010

In a planned move to develop its team and prepare the company for the future,  J. H. Shouksmith and Sons Ltd. has announced three key personnel changes in the York Division.

Peter Cookland, who has spent his entire working life in the York Division, has stood down as Divisional Director to take up the new post of Business Development Manager for the whole company.   Peter originally joined Shouksmiths 45 years ago as an apprentice plumber, and worked his way through the ranks to become Divisional Director in 2003.  Since that time he has spearheaded the growth of the York Division, which has seen turnover more than double in the last 7 years.
 
A new position of York Divisional Manager has been created, which will be taken by David Shouksmith, the son of company chairman Richard Shouksmith and the seventh generation of the family to work for the company. 

David, who has a degree in Construction Management and substantial experience of working within the construction industry, joined the company in 2005 based in the Leeds office.  After a move to the Sheffield Division, David was appointed Contracts Manager, York Division, where he has been involved in managing a wide variety of projects. David’s new role will comprise the general management, overall direction and responsibility for the successful completion of all projects delivered by the York Division, and will lead its expansion when the construction industry emerges from the current recession.

Keith Bradley, who is currently Sheffield Divisional Director, will see his position extended to cover the role of Divisional Director for York also. Keith, who joined Shouksmiths in 2006, has extensive experience of the building services sector and has led the rapid growth of the company’s Sheffield operation into a profitable Division with particular expertise in new build, residential projects and housing regeneration work.  As well as now having a wider responsibility for the York Division also, one of Keith’s key roles will be to act as mentor to David Shouksmith as they look to develop the Division.

John Miller, managing director of J. H. Shouksmith and Sons Ltd. said: “These are significant and exciting changes designed to help drive the company forward, adapt to the changing marketplace and prepare us for the future.  Whilst we are still dealing with extremely challenging trading conditions, I am confident that the skills and expertise brought by Peter, David and Keith will help the business flourish.
 
I would like to specifically acknowledge the significant contribution that Peter has made to our York Division over the last 45 years.  I am delighted that his enthusiasm and passion for the business will be utilised to its full extent as he takes up his new and exciting role in business development.”   

Typical current contracts being undertaken by the company at present include work on housing regeneration schemes in Gloucester, Liverpool and Doncaster, a five star hotel in Whitby, health care units in South Yorkshire and on Teesside, leisure facilities in Dagenham, and a manufacturing facility in Doncaster.