New CEO at ArcGen Hilta as Mark Hodgkins departs

Mark Hodgkins left ArcGen Hilta at the beginning of the year and has been replaced as chief executive officer by Chris Morris, a member of the Morris family that owns ArcGen.

ArcGen gave no reason for Mr Hodgkins' departure, but said in a statement to IRN that the appointment of Mr Morris to the new position reflected an investment in the company because of its growth and "outstanding performance."

"Mark Hodgkins the previous CEO of ArcGen has successfully recruited and built a management team second to none", said Mr Morris, "I am relishing the opportunity to manage the business on a day to day basis helping strengthen further client and supplier relationships and build our successful business formula both in the UK and overseas."

Mr Hodgkins left ArcGen in February and is now chief executive officer of Debrett's, the publisher of books and guides on manners and etiquette, based in Richmond, West London.

ArcGen Hilta sells a wide range of site equipment, including lighting towers, pumps, generators, power washers and message boards. Some of its products - such as the Japanese-made generators - are sold only in the UK, but it is now trying to expand export sales of its SMC lighting towers and certain pump products.

Morris Group, based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is a private business owned by the Morris family. Its five divisions are in commercial property, care homes, residential developments, marketing and light construction equipment (ArcGen Hilta). It acquired ArcGen in 2006.