HLA Group announces leadership expansion

Boldon-based HLA Group has appointed new leadership team members and restructured its business to create a sustainable, employee-focused model. 

Formerly known as HLA Services, the company has rebranded to reflect its wide-ranging mechanical, electrical and facilities services.

Eleven long-standing employees have become additional shareholders, reinforcing HLA Group’s commitment to internal career progression. 

Managing director and co-founder Paul Smith remains the largest shareholder at 24 per cent, with finance director Wendy Duffy holding 10 per cent. 

The new shareholders, each receiving 6 per cent, include Darren Gray, Marcus Thomson, Mark Charlton, Bruce Kirtley, Jonathan Wilson, Michael Oliver, Lee Kirby, Mark Herring, Gary Logan, Steve Grehan and Maxine Charlton.

This transition introduces an earn-out model over the next five to seven years, with shares restricted to internal employees, ensuring long-term stability.

Paul said: “We’re moving into a new phase of our journey which we refer to as HLA 2.0.

“After several flattering and appealing offers by a variety of external suitors to buy the company in the past, I realised our unique brand of in-house services, as well as expertise in local exhaust ventilation and water treatment legionella control, which effectively made us a group of 10 internal businesses, would be a difficult fit for any acquiring company to absorb without the disintegration of the HLA brand and ethos. 

“So, it wasn’t a difficult decision to politely reject the offers and come up with this tailored strategy for the future. 

“As ever, our mission is to provide best-in-class service to our customers and our new leadership model will allow us to further develop our already robust business model and elevate our offering to clients as we continue to grow. The future is bright and our ability to deliver excellence and pivot to meet market demand is unlimited.”

With a workforce of 130 and offices in Cumbria and Seaham, HLA Group serves sectors including healthcare, construction, manufacturing and education, working with four of the North East’s five universities.

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