Food man is new B&ES chief exec
10th July 2015
UK: Contractors body B&ES has appointed Paul McLaughlin, a man steeped in the food industry, as its new chief executive.
His appointment, which takes effect on August 25, follows the surprise resignation of the association’s former chief executive, Rod Pettigrew, in January.
Commenting on Mr McLaughlin’s appointment, B&ES president Jim Marner said that they had been impressed by his “strategic and operational ability, business know-how and stakeholder engagement”.
“I believe that Paul has the skills and talents required to address the challenges currently faced by B&ES and the sector it represents, and I look forward to working with him in the months and years to come,” he said.
Graduating with a first-class honours degree in electronics and electrical engineering, Mr McLaughlin began his career with international food group Mars, rising to be manufacturing manager at the company’s confectionery production facility in Slough, Berkshire.
He went on to spend 12 years with soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola, where he held senior positions in operations, innovation and quality assurance, before being appointed the company’s commercialisation director for North West Europe.
In January 2008, he became chief executive officer of the newly established trade association Scotland Food and Drink and since 2011 has served as managing director of a specialist food business based in the West of Scotland, as well as undertaking a range of consultancy projects.
He has also been a member of a Scottish Enterprise regional advisory board, and a trustee of a national charity.
Welcoming the opportunity to bring to B&ES his first-hand knowledge and experience in both a business and member organisation environment, Paul McLaughlin said “B&ES has a long and distinguished history, and I am determined to work with its members and staff to ensure that it remains entirely relevant to needs of the membership and the building engineering services sector.”
