One of the UK’s largest independent construction companies is preparing to expand into other regions and sectors after creating a new chief executive role.
The company, which has offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and Teesside, is forecasting an annual turnover in excess of £350 million for 2022 - and has already secured £300 million worth of opportunities.
Lee Powell, previously the company’s divisional managing director for Yorkshire - the home county - has already overseen exceptional growth, which has included its recent expansion into the North East – establishing an office in Stockton-on-Tees.
Now he will implement a strategy of achieving constant and controlled growth while maintaining its debt-free status.
Mr Powell, who has fronted the company's updates on the £200 million Siemens Mobility train plant at Goole, said: “I’m enormously proud to become CEO of GMI Construction Group, a role which is focused on growing our presence in our operating regions and facilitating growth of the business in a controlled and sustainable manner.
“As the UK continues to level up across all of its key regions, I want to ensure GMI is right at the heart of that growth and powering forward with our expert team of industry leading professionals who continue to deliver excellence on project after project.
“I am however consciously aware that GMI needs to implement that growth by retaining those values that has delivered success to this company and our clients. These include using local suppliers and sub-contractors whenever possible, as well as creating educational opportunities, to bring maximum economic benefit to the communities we are operating in.”
GMI provides specialist design and build capabilities spanning multiple sectors.
Alongside the huge Goole rail village, there is a £30 million office building at Thorpe Park, Leeds, ongoing, so too a 437,000 sq ft fulfilment centre for an online fashion retailer at Fradley Park in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
It is delivering a new-build residential block comprising 259 apartments over 11 storeys, forming part of the £200 million regeneration scheme in Derby while also landing a £30 million extension to a helicopter manufacturing facility.
Major companies and significant brands such as Tritax Symmetry, St Modwen, Scarborough Group, Graftongate, St James Securities, The Alumno Group, Opus North, HBD, Peel Land & Property, Muse, Legal & General, and Evans Property Group are among its clients.
David Shann, chief executive of GMI’s parent company Highgrove Group Plc, said: “Lee’s appointment to this newly-created CEO role underlines our commitment to strengthen and grow our presence in the regions where we already operate, as well as looking towards developing new opportunities.
“As CEO, we believe Lee has the experience, energy and ability to take GMI to the next level. Equally at home on site or in the boardroom, he has already proven to be a major driver within the business and is responsible for helping create our enviable reputation for delivering quality developments on time and within budget.”
