Huddersfield graphics firm Leach to double turnover with new management team

Huddersfield-headquartered graphic display business Leach has revealed plans to double turnover and appointed a new senior management team.

In the wake of the company’s acquisition by French-owned Chargeurs Group in April, Richard Leach – great grandson of the firm’s founder – has decided to step down as managing director and make way for finance director James Lavin to take the helm.

Working alongside co-director Jim Parkin, Richard will spend the next nine months supporting the new MD and his leadership team through the transition.

Elsewhere, Adrian Wray has been promoted to sales and marketing director. He joined Leach in January as head of sales.

Other changes include operations manager Russell Wilson becoming head of operations; company secretary Paul Wadsworth becoming head of finance; and senior project manager Tom Foster taking the role of head of Leach Inspire, the company’s heritage sector brand.

The appointments mark the beginning of a five-year strategy to turn Leach into a £25m-turnover business, doubling its current turnover of £11m.

Richard Leach said: “Chargeurs is an innovation leader and a global manufacturing and services group with leading positions in its four markets and a customer portfolio spanning 80 countries.

“They have their sights set on worldwide revenues of €1bn by 2022, so it’s no surprise that their aspirations for Leach are so ambitious.”

He continued: “However, they have acquired the business at a pivotal point in our evolution. Established 127 years ago, Leach has stood the test of time because we have continued to innovate.

“With Chargeurs’ investment, the pace of this innovation, R&D, new product development and personnel advancement, will only accelerate.”

New MD James Lavin commented: “By leveraging the global networks of our new owners Chargeurs we’ll therefore be able to expand our offering, in the UK and overseas, meaning what could be perceived as steep growth targets are well within reach.”

Discussing his plans to retire in Spring 2019, Richard added: “Jim and I have ploughed a vast amount of expertise and passion into Leach, and I obviously have a sentimental attachment to the business because it was founded by my great-grandfather.

“But what began life as a one-man photographic studio has grown to become a 100-strong organisation with over 500 customers and the most robust management team yet. This succession strategy was a long time in the making, but I know the board is well-placed to build on the Leach family legacy. I’m excited to see what happens next.”