Ian Lawson steps down as Severfield boss

Ian Lawson has stepped down permanently from structural steel specialist Severfield’s board after nearly a year’s absence due to ill health.

Alan Dunsmore, previously the finance director, who has been acting as interim chief executive since March last year, is now the firm’s permanent chief executive.

John Dodds, who remains Severfield’s chairman, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Ian Lawson’s tremendous contribution to the Severfield business since his arrival in November 2013. He has been the architect of the Group strategy, setting the target of doubling our underlying pre-tax profits by 31 March 2020.

“Under his leadership Severfield is well on track to deliver against this important milestone. Ian leaves with our thanks and best wishes.”

Cenkos analyst Kevin Cammack: “I do think that Ian was the principal catalyst for real change and recovery in Severfield and for a strategy that has brought the business back to healthy profitability and growth.

“However, it would be wrong to doubt that Alan and the team have not carried on the good work with vigour and success. I do not expect any major changes in strategy short to medium term.”

Prior to joining Severfield in late 2013, Lawson (pictured) spent 13 years at contractor Kier where he was appointed as an executive director in 2005 with responsibility initially for its services division and later the property division.

Before his stint at Kier, Lawson was managing director of Bickerton Group.

Adam Semple takes over from Dunsmore and becomes finance director on a permanent basis.

In its last set of results for the six months to the end of September 2017, the firm unveiled a 55% hike in pre-tax profit to £11.5m with revenue up 16% to £137m.