Eric Wright Facilities Management (EWFM), one of seven companies within the Eric Wright Group, has made appointments at director level as part of its on-going programme of investment.
Drew Hird has been promoted to professional services director having worked with the company for five years. John Cripps, who joined the company from Kier Group last November as interim director, takes on the permanent role of operations director. John brings over 30 years’ board leadership experience in the FM and PFI sectors working across energy, education, health, fire service and LIFT contracts. Both John and Drew will sit on the EWFM board.
Commenting on his promotion Drew Hird said: “The team has achieved significant growth in building consultancy work in recent years across the education and healthcare sectors as well as more general commercial work. The business has grown from strength to strength and the professional services team now numbers 12 staff including building surveyors and engineers, as well as project managers, facilities managers and lifecycle managers. We’ve undergone a far-reaching programme of change and this is an exciting new phase for the business. I am delighted to be leading a fantastic team of customer focused experts and look forward to supporting them as we continue to grow.”
Last year George Lilley joined EWFM from VINCI Facilities as managing director and over the last twelve months, under his leadership, EWFM has undertaken a full review of its operations to deliver greater efficiencies and improved customer service.
John Cripp’s role as operations director will be to lead on improving the efficiency of LIFT and commercial operations. He added: “We have a hugely competent team which comprises long-standing highly talented employees, supplemented by the recruitment of specialised individuals in key roles. We have made excellent progress in driving change across the business.”
He added: “The unique ownership structure of the Eric Wright Group was a major attraction for me and it is refreshing to work in a commercial business which has a genuine social purpose. I’m proud to be part of a company that delivers market-leading social value as well as excellence in FM.”
George Lilly added: “Between them, Drew and John have decades of experience and success in leading and developing high performance teams in the FM sector. They further strengthen our board and will play key roles in transforming our business and achieving our vision for EWFM.”
Established in 2002, EWFM delivers facilities management services to 150 buildings primarily across the north of England, operating in a range of sectors including education, healthcare, retail and commercial offices.
EWFM is also on a number of national and north west frameworks including: Lancashire Regeneration Property Partnership (LRPP), Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT), Fusion 21, Efficiency East Midlands, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) and Lancashire County Council Building Surveying Framework.
