Hill & Smith Holdings, the Solihull-based international manufacturing group, has announced that Paul Simmons will be its new chief executive, replacing Derek Muir, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Paul, who has a degree in production engineering, joins from Halma, where he is chief executive of the infrastructure safety and process safety sectors. Before joining Halma in 2010, he spent nine years at 3M, leading businesses in the UK and USA. He will join Hill & Smith on 1 September 2020 so as to have a four-month handover period before Derek leaves on 31 December.
Hall & Smith specialises in the supply of infrastructure products and galvanising services. While largely focussed on roads and highways, the group includes railway signal-head and display-sign manufacturer Variable Message Signs (VMS).
Alan Giddins, chairman of Hill & Smith, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Paul’s calibre to succeed Derek.
“His time at Halma has given him experience of strategic thinking, operating with a clear sector focus and in a decentralised business model with organic growth enhanced through strategic acquisitions.
“This experience and outlook makes him uniquely well positioned to take on the chief executive role at Hill & Smith.”
Be the first to comment