After nearly ten years at the helm of HW Richardson Group, managing director Scott O’Donnell wishes to take a step back and let a new chief executive officer take over the day to day operations of the family-owned business.
The position of chief executive officer for HW Richardson Group is currently being advertised in national newspapers by South Island-based recruitment company Brannigans.
HW Richardson Group general manager of people development John McDonald told DIESELtalk this afternoon, that O’Donnell had always flagged his intention to step down as managing director of the company after ten years.
“He has flagged to us that his tenure as managing director is coming to an end, and it is time for someone new with fresh ideas to carry on,” says McDonald. “He will still be involved with the group at a board level but will not be driving the company on a day to day basis.”
McDonald also says that as far as he is aware, O’Donnell stepping down is not a precursor to the company being listed on the stock exchange.
HW Richardson Group Limited is one of the largest privately held Australasian operations that encompasses transport, ready mix concrete, petroleum distribution, contracting, aggregates and waste management.
The new appointee will be based at the HW Richardson Group head office in Invercargill, Southland, and he or she will oversee a company with revenues in excess of $1 billion and a staff of more than 1500 people across more than 100 sites in New Zealand and Australia.
According to the recruitment company advertisement, the new chief executive officer will report to the board of directors, Scott O’Donnell, Jocelyn O’Donnell, and Rex Williams.
The company says it wants to appoint a inspirational, yet pragmatic senior leader, with sound commercial judgement and excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
The new chief executive officer will have his or her success measured by the continuation of the companies’ positive culture, engagement of the existing team and partners, and the growth and retention of HW Richardson Group’s established customer base.
