Nick Higgins is new COO of AFI

Nick Higgins has been promoted to Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) of powered access specialists AFI Group, with immediate effect.

The restructure has been announced following last week’s acquisition of Facelift (GB), where AFI also secured new long-term financing from Pricoa Private Capital. The acquisition takes AFI’s UK rental fleet to 7,500 machines and allows the company to substantially add scale to the existing business.

Nick will assume overall responsibility for AFI’s UK rental operations as well as Group Services. He will work closely with Group Chief Executive Officer David McNicholas and the current UK rental management teams, in particular Steve Williams of AFI-Uplift, Pete Wajner of the Specialist Rental Division, and Neil Gellender and Graham Hawkins of HPA.

The move will allow McNicholas to work closely with the group’s Chairman David Shipman on future strategy to take the AFI business forwards and continue the development of the group.

Speaking about Higgins’ contribution as a member of the Senor Management Team for almost 13 years, Shipman said, “Backed up by over 30 years’ experience in the industry, he has made a success of his roles at AFI whether they have been at the sharp end of the business, or more latterly in providing invaluable support to the wider business through Group Services.

“He is a great team player and this promotion is well deserved. We all wish him well in his new role.”