A new business group has been formed from four of the leading names in UK road safety barriers.
The move consolidates all existing UK Hill and Smith Ltd Vehicle Restraint System (VRS) subsidiaries, bringing together Asset VRS, Varley & Gulliver, Hardstaff Barriers and Hill & Smith Barrier under one team providing all temporary and permanent products and services.
The aim is to strengthen the level of customer service and ease the supply of safety systems to the market.
Each of the companies' individual divisional brands will be maintained within the new business group, however, a newly-formed executive leadership team will provide new focus and strategy.
The team includes:
- Peter Wilkinson as managing director. Peter has worked within Hill and Smith Ltd for 21 years, leading very successful businesses under the portfolio, both internationally and in the UK.
- Tony Everitt as export sales director. Tony has been with Hill and Smith Ltd for 30 years and was managing director of Varley & Gulliver, where he gained extensive knowledge of the international roads market and made a significant contribution.
- Dave Todd as managing director of services, overseeing all aspects of service-related functions within the new group. He previously worked in various senior roles for Tier 1 major project contractors, before becoming executive director of Hardstaff Barriers upon its acquisition by Hill and Smith Ltd in 2016.
- James Thomas, who is currently financial director of Hill & Smith Ltd (including Berry and Asset International), will also take on responsibility as financial director for the new group. James has spent seven years with Hill & Smith Ltd and brings vast experience and extensive knowledge across the individual businesses.
- Matt Harriman as managing director of products overseeing sales, development, innovation and production at the Bilston and West Bromwich facilities. Matt became MD of Hill & Smith Barrier in 2017 after 14 years in product and technical roles.
- Ian Robinson has come out of retirement to become a transformation consultant during the integration period giving regular updates on the development of the new group.
Mr Wilkinson said: 'The bringing together of our VRS businesses will give greater opportunities to all employees, creating career opportunities and new leadership roles. This new group also strengthens the range of our products, enabling enhanced service, solutions, choice and support for all of our customers.'
