Pictured, from left to right: Neil Bottrill, Managing Director of EE Smith and newly appointed chairman Ian Lawson seated in the recently finished fit out of Corinthia Hotel London
Ian Lawson brings a wealth of plc and construction industry experience to his new role at EE Smith Contracts, a company renowned for its work in fitting out some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and restaurants, commercial buildings and super-prime private residences.
Ian was previously CEO at Severfield plc, the UK’s largest structural steel business, responsible for a portfolio of landmark buildings, including The Shard, the London 2012 Olympics stadium, Heathrow T5, Wimbledon Centre Court, The Emirates and other premiership stadiums as well as the Paris Philharmonic Hall. Before that he was a main Board director at Kier plc, the £multi-billion construction, property and services contractor.
The appointment is the latest stage in the 122-year history of EE Smith and follows a management buy-out backed by Maven Capital Partners in 2016 which saw four long-serving members of the team take over ownership of the business. Turnover has since almost doubled.
The company has 300 staff, annual revenues approaching £50 million and a significant forward order book. It has made significant investments in cutting edge technology to continue leading the market in the provision of high-quality joinery and interiors in the UK as well as handling a number of projects overseas. The investments include £1million to double the spray shop capacity and further enhance its polishing and finishing capabilities.
It recently finished a project to fit out the celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s new restaurant at Corinthia Hotel London, is working on the capital’s largest new hotel project, a 350-bed venue in Leicester Square as well as installing 453 bathrooms in the Battersea Power Station development.
“When you are part of a business that has been operating for more than a century you are really custodians of its future and not just owners for today,” says Neil Bottrill Managing Director of EE Smith. “It is your responsibility to take it on the next stage of its journey.
“The management team have ambitions to keep growing the business whilst safeguarding its commitment to outstanding customer service and high- quality craftsmanship for which we continue to see high demand.
“We are absolutely delighted that Ian has agreed to become our new non-executive Chairman. He has a wealth of experience at senior level within large plc businesses in the wider construction sector that will be hugely beneficial to our future growth and development.”
