Following a period of rapid growth, engineering solutions firm, adi Group has hired a chief operating officer to help fulfil its pledge to create 500 new jobs and double its turnover by 2020.
Steven Farmer joins the Group from construction engineering company Mabey Hire Ltd, where he held executive roles for a number of years. Prior to that, Steven was employed in senior management positions at some of the UK’s largest construction and rail companies, such as Balfour Beatty and Jarvis. He is also a qualified electrician and began his career as an electrical contractor. The diverse nature of Steven’s background mirrors adi Group’s extensive service offering of specialist engineering services predominantly to the manufacturing sector.
Steven’s initial task is to further develop the Group’s 2020 business plan, encompassing and enhancing the working synergies of all 19 businesses. He explains:
“We are implementing a rapid growth strategy, with the aim of doubling both our turnover and staff numbers by 2020. My job is to ensure adi Group maximises opportunities while retaining a reputation for high quality and not letting the customer down. Growth of this nature can be a challenge for businesses if not resourced properly, so that’s what I’ll be looking at. The plan is centred on adi Group’s ethos of total engineering solutions, adding value wherever possible”.
adi Group is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and was recently placed in the top one per cent of all businesses assessed globally by one of the world’s most prestigious sustainability rating platforms, EcoVadis. This mixture of ambition and culture, championed by CEO Alan Lusty, is what Steven says attracted him to the role. He adds:
“It was the internal culture and vision of Alan Lusty that really sold it for me, as well as Alan’s growth plans. Alan is always driving things forward, and that kind of ambition is what makes it easy to get up in the mornings. The company has also been resilient even in tough economic times, which is reassuring.
“I’ve never taken myself too seriously, so when Alan explained about how he sits with everyone else in the open plan office, and that everyone wears the same uniform and are treated equally, that really resonated with me. I’ve always thought that’s the best way to get the most out of your team.”
Alan Lusty, CEO at adi Group, comments: “As the business continues to flourish, it is essential that additional investments are made to leverage our unique position.
“Steven is an ambitious and forward-thinking executive with more than a decade’s experience in the construction and engineering sectors. His appointment will ensure our growth is managed in the best possible way so we can continue to provide the same high quality service to clients.”
For more information, visit www.adiltd.co.uk.
