Andy McEwan has been appointed as CEO for cladding manufacturer Vivalda Group.

McEwan has cut his teeth in the construction products sector at Wolseley plc, and more recently fulfilling a senior role at VPS, the site security specialist.

Peter Johnson will stay on as Group Chairman and majority shareholder, while former Managing Director Ben Jayes will continue to play a roving role across the group and retain an interest as a key shareholder and board member.

At the company’s annual sales conference, McEwan set out his vision and laid out plans to expand the business in three key areas; growing the product range, attracting new customers and building new branches.

Commenting on Vivalda’s new strategy, Peter Johnson said: “Firstly I want to put on the record my admiration for my friend and colleague Ben Jayes whose skill, courage and dedication forged the business into the leading force we see today.

“When you recall the wider economic crises of the last fifteen years, Ben has successfully navigated each one with aplomb.

“He and I look forward to continuing our successful relationship, this time on the back benches, offering the benefit of all that experience whenever it may be requested by Andy.

“Having made it through the last recession, the financial crisis, Brexit, the pandemic and the recent hikes in energy costs, we continue to be a profitable, successful enterprise that puts its people first.

“However, having achieved a turnover of £40m this year, we know that to get to the next level the business needs an input of new ideas along with the right leader to implement them.

“Having spent nearly a year searching for the right person I am delighted to have confirmed Andy McEwan’s position as Group CEO.

“Andy brings fresh thinking and real passion to Vivalda Group as we embark on the exciting next phase of its growth, and all the while retaining our strong values of professionalism, integrity and teamwork.”

Andy McEwan commented: “With 11 locations across the UK, Vivalda has a tremendous reputation as the UK’s leading supplier of non-flammable rainscreen cladding systems.

“Now approaching its 25th anniversary, the business has very positive culture, which is reflected by its approach to customers and suppliers alike.

“Given this strong foundation, I believe there are significant opportunities for the business to expand, most notably in terms of the range of products it offers, the customers it serves and the geography from which it operates.

“Looking ahead, there are huge opportunities for Vivalda to operate much more as a single entity while getting even closer to suppliers and customers.”