A fast-expanding North East civil engineering company has appointed a new manager to head up the arm of its business responsible for delivering major earthworks contracts.
Jonathan Porter has been promoted to the position of general manager of Owen Pugh Contracts, an arm of the Owen Pugh Group which delivers earthmoving, demolition, reclamation, remediation, recycling, civil engineering and landfill works to local authorities and other firms in the construction supply chain across the region.
In his new role Jonathan will have overall responsibility for the contracts business which has an average monthly turnover of £1.2million and is playing a key role in major regional schemes including the Morpeth Northern Bypass, the extension of Dalton Park in County Durham and a new development at Silverlink in North Tyneside.
Heading up a team of around 40 staff, the scope of Jonathan’s role ranges from tendering for projects to ensuring contracts are and delivered on time, on budget and to impeccable quality and safety standards. Among other areas of responsibility, Jonathan is also tasked with the environmental management of the Owen Pugh Contracts business, ensuring procedures are being implemented and accreditations renewed.
Jonathan, who hails from Cambridge, settled in Tyneside after completing a degree course at Newcastle University before joining Owen Pugh in 2008 and progressing through the business. He started out as a junior engineer before being promoted to engineer, more recently taking on the role of contracts manager, supporting the former general manager.
Commenting on the appointment, Jonathan said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the position of General Manager of the contracts division; it’s a role I’ve aspired to since starting out at Owen Pugh in 2008.
“It’s a big responsibility guiding the business through what remains to be tough economic conditions. Ensuring the company turnover remains on an even keel while planning for a pipeline of potential work continues to be the biggest challenge, but it’s one that I’m relishing.
“Having worked my way up through the ranks, gaining experience across the board, I’m well placed to build on the success of my predecessor, making further improvements and driving forward growth plans which include gaining a stronger foothold in the wider region.”
John Dickson, chairman of the Owen Pugh Group, said: “The contracts division is an important part of the Owen Pugh business that has continued to grow despite difficult trading conditions. Having gained experience at all levels within the business, Jonathan’s experience and credentials will prove invaluable as we move into the next stage of our growth. We have always prided ourselves on attracting and retaining the best industry talent and that has been the key to our success to date.”
To find out more about the Owen Pugh Group visit www.owenpugh.com.