Lavendon strengthens board with two appointments

Aerial work platform rentals company Lavendon has made two changes to its executive board with the appointment of Andy Wright to the newly-created position of chief executive, international operations, and Mike Potts to the role of chief executive, Lavendon Access Services (UK).

Mr Wright's decision to focus full-time on developing an expanded international business for Lavendon was made in July this year, although he was initially given responsibility in April 2010 for the oversight of its Middle East business, which he performed alongside his existing UK responsibilities.

The new role is based in Dubai and sees the transfer of Mr Wrights UK responsibilities to newly appointed chief executive, Lavendon Access Services (UK), Mike Potts.

Mr Potts, a Cambridge University engineering graduate, has had spells at Metal Box, Shell and Courtaulds and gained an MBA at INSEAD, the internationally renowned business school.

For the past seven years he has been CEO of Vendia, a private equity backed European-based supplier of food and beverage vending services.

Commenting on the new appointments, Kevin Appleton, Lavendon Group chief executive, said, "Having moved to the region in June, Andy has identified exciting potential for an expanded international business model using our existing infrastructure in the Middle East as the foundation.

"Having built the plan and recognising its complexity, it makes a lot of sense for someone of Andy's seniority and skill to see this through. The success of our international business is a key value driver for Lavendon and, in Andy, we have matched this opportunity to a proven business talent."

"Mike comes with an excellent business pedigree and a strong track record of achievement. He absolutely fits the mould of top quality, people-oriented managers we look for. I am confident he will fit seamlessly into the organisation and will seek to build on the solid foundation that Andy has created in the UK business," added Mr Appleton.