Aggreko appoints former G4S director to head key division

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 22/02/2013 08:40

Temporary power supplier Aggreko has named David Taylor-Smith, who resigned from G4S last year following the London Olympics security fiasco, as managing director of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division.

The Glasgow-based firm said Taylor-Smith will take up the role on 11 March. He spent 14 years at G4S before resigning as chief operating officer and regional chief executive for the UK, Ireland and Africa in September.

Aggreko chief executive Rupert Soames said: “He brings with him a wealth of international experience and has proved his ability to build and manage very large businesses.”

Taylor-Smith’s departure from G4S came after the group failed to deliver enough security workers for the London Olympics, forcing the UK government to draft in military personnel to cover the shortfall.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Caroline de La Soujeole said Aggreko’s EMEA division accounted for 42 per cent of group sales and 31 per cent of trading profit in 2011, and described Taylor-Smith’s appointment as a “welcome addition to Aggreko’s management team”.

She added: “He has the calibre and required experience to help take the group forward.”