Gallagher Group names new CEO

The 4476 Gallagher Group has appointed Lance Taylor as its new chief executive officer to lead the next phase of development at the family-owned UK firm.

Outgoing Gallagher CEO Nick Yandle will remain with the group to facilitate a two-month handover, departing at the end of this year as planned after 13 years at the helm.

The Gallagher Group has built a strong presence across the south-east of England around its four principle areas of operation: building, civil engineering, aggregates and property development.

Taylor starts with the Kent-based company on November 1. He joins from Persimmon where he was previously regional chairman with responsibility for operations across London & South East, South Coast, Wales, St Modwen/Persimmon national Joint Venture and a 400-person civil engineering and groundworks business. Together these businesses delivered a turnover in excess of £1bn per annum.

Prior to joining Persimmon, Taylor spent over a decade at international cost, project management and property consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), where he was chief executive from 2007 to 2014. At RLB he was involved in a range of major infrastructure and energy projects such as supporting LOCOG on the 2012 London Olympics and nuclear decommissioning work at Sellafield.

He began his career in a range of on-site engineering, contracts and project management roles at Tarmac, Birse and Sisk, before moving into project management at PCM and head of project management at GVA.

Gallagher Group chairman Pat Gallagher commented on Taylor's appointment: "He brings a wide array of experience across our areas of operation and an enviable track record as a business leader.

"It is an exciting time for our business. This year we are celebrating 45 years of successful operation and we have just concluded our latest financial year (September 30) making further positive progress with strong trading across all our operations."

Taylor said: "This is an exciting opportunity to join a strong, well-established business. There is a clear commitment to set a progressive future strategy and plan for the Group’s further profitable growth, together with its family-owners, the Board and senior management team."