FB People

Family-owned firm appoints new MD following family death

The UK?s leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment has appointed a new non-family managing director. Family-owned Arco has appointed Nicholas Hildyard as joint managing director of the firm.

His appointment follows the untimely death of Jo Martin, aged just 36, on 27 February 2008, who had jointly managed the business with her cousin, Thomas, since 2003. Hildyard and Thomas will now run the firm together.

?Through the joint leadership with Thomas Martin, the family values around which Arco bases its business ethos will be maintained,? said Hildyard. ?Jo Martin combined an impressive business acumen with the highest integrity, humility and a very genuine care for people and we aim to continue to build on this platform.?

Arco was established in 1884 and has become the UK?s largest supplier of safety equipment, including clothing, footwear, gloves and maintenance supplies. Jo and Thomas were members of the fourth-generation to head the firm.

Nicholas Hildyard, a chartered accountant, joined based Arco in 2002 as finance director following a career at orthopaedic firm Smith & Nephew where he held senior positions in both finance and general management.

Top Stories