New chief executive appointments have been made this week at the Wates Group and Orbit Group. Eoghan O’Lionaird will take on the role of the new Wates chief executive, and Phil Andrew will be the new chief executive of the Orbit Group
Eoghan O’Lionaird will join the Wates Group board on 20 Feb 2023, taking over the role from interim chief executive Philip Wainwright.
Cork-born Eoghan O’Lionaird holds degrees in engineering from University College Cork, and the University of Limerick, and an MBA from the Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Previously he has held executive roles at Spectris plc, Danaher Corporation, Philips and will join Wates from FTSE-listed marine services company James Fisher and Sons plc.
Interim chief executive Philip Wainwright will return to his previous role as CFO
O’Lionaird, who will be based in Wates’ headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, will take over from interim chief executive Philip Wainwright who has been in the post since the summer of 2022.
Wainwright returns as planned to his role as chief financial officer.
Wates chairman, Sir James Wates CBE said: “Eoghan is a globally accomplished, motivational leader with an impressive track record in industry and we’re very pleased to be welcoming him to Wates. We’re excited to appoint Eoghan to lead us into the next stage of our history.
“At the same time, on behalf of the Board, I’d like to pay tribute to Philip Wainwright for the great job he has done as interim chief executive over the past six months. He hands over a business which is in terrific shape, and with him working as chief financial officer alongside Eoghan, we are confident of the Group’s continuing stability and success.”
Eoghan looks forward to driving sustainability and social value
Eoghan O’Lionaird said: “I’m delighted to be joining Wates and I’m really looking forward to working with everyone.
“What marks Wates out from the competition is how it has rallied its people around a purpose greater than profit alone. This is clear from its commitment to making the built environment more sustainable. I’m looking forward to contributing to the Group’s strategy and marshalling the resources needed to achieve its ambitions.”
Phil Andrew has been appointed the new Group chief executive for Orbit
Phil is currently the chief executive of the UK’s largest debt advice charity StepChange and will join Orbit by 3 July 2023.
Prior to joining StepChange, Phil was chief executive of Working Links. He has also held a number of senior positions in the UK and France including chief finance pfficer of Sodexo UK & Ireland, and chief executive, Sodexo Justice Services.
He is a chartered accountant, qualified treasurer, and chartered marketer, and is vice-chair of Raven Housing Trust and previously chair of the Breck Foundation, an online safety awareness charity.
Phil is looking forward to playing his part in delivering Social Housing
Phil Andrew said: “Social Housing is one of the most important and challenging sectors in the social purpose environment. With so many competing demands, from building safety, decarbonisation and raising the bar of social housing, to supporting customers through the cost of living crisis, it requires a deep understanding of the heavy social obligation which comes with creating thriving communities, along with a strong financial focus, and I am hugely looking forward to playing my part.”
David Weaver, Orbit group chair, commented: “I am delighted that Phil is joining us. He brings with him a strong commercial focus combined with meaningful experience of leading organisations that are driven by social purpose. This, alongside his knowledge of social housing and his experience from outside the sector, will add impetus in driving forward Orbit’s vision: to lead in building thriving communities.”
Orbit Group’s finance director, Jonathan Wallbank, has been appointed interim chief executive as Mark Hoyland steps down.
Weaver adds: “I am hugely appreciative that Jonathan has agreed to take on this additional responsibility and would like to thank Mark for his exceptional contribution to Orbit and the sector. He has been pivotal in shaping Orbit’s strategy and building a customer-centric culture, and delivering the Group’s strongest set of financial results. I am sure I speak for all at Orbit when I wish him all the very best for his new role.”
