KEY PEOPLE
Andrew Watson - Managing Director, Kitsons Nuclear Services Division
Before taking the helm at Kitsons newly established Specialist Nuclear Services division, Andrew was Managing Director of Kitsons Environmental for 5 years, his career in the Specialist Environmental Support Services sector covering some 30 years.
Having spent the early years of his career in the H&V Thermal insulation construction sector Andrew has worked in excess of 24 years delivering industrial services including Asbestos Removal, Scaffold Access, Thermal Insulation and Protective Coatings operating in the Nuclear decommissioning, Defence, Local Authority, Education, Nuclear/Fossil Power, Oil and Gas and Chemical industries both in the UK and overseas.
Andrew operates to high standards, systems and procedures and supports the team in maintaining ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 accreditations. The company’s Health and Safety culture has been recognised by achieving a RoSPA gold award four years in a row.
His career with Kitsons began in 1987 where has held positions as Estimator, Commercial Manager, Contracts Manager, Area Manager, Operations Director and was promoted to Managing Director in 2007 to head up a recently appointed Board.
John Potts – Managing Director, Industrial Services Division
Before joining Kitsons, John had a career spanning over 20 years with Hertel, leaving as Managing Director of their Middle East and CIS Regions and a Group Management Board Director. John has more than 30 years experience of delivering Industrial Support Services to clients in the oil, gas, petrochemical and power sectors.
Stewart Astley – Finance Director
Stewart's career spans 19 years in a financial management capacity. He joined Kitsons as FD in October 2007. As well as managing Kitsons Finance Department, he operates at PLC Group level, supporting the growing strategy of the group.
He started as a trainee accountant in 1992 in the NHS; he qualified as ACMA whilst there. His career includes time at MyTravel, AAH pharmaceuticals, BAE Systems and Elite Homes where the business grew from £7m to £30m turnover.
Antony Woodall – Divisional Director – Industrial Services
Antony brings 30 years of industry experience working in the Specialist Environmental Support Services sector. From that time he has successfully progressed within the business to his current position of Divisional Director. Antony’s experience spans sectors such as thermal insulation, power generation, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, HVAC and scaffolding services.
Antony has moved through the business, starting as contract surveyor, promoted to Sales manager for UK, his responsibilities include; scheduling, receiving and costing contracts, the issuing of quotations and assessing Kitsons capabilities to provide service in accordance with the practices set out in the company management system manual, including health, safety and Environmental matters.
Antony holds the overall responsibility for health, safety and environmental matters for the division and ensures method statements and risk assessments are correctly prepared and approved.
Robin Hardy – Divisional Director
Robin brings 32 years experience in the industrial support services with a short spell in working abroad in the mid 90’s. He is currently Divisional Director for Birmingham and South for Kitsons.
Most of Robin’s career has spanned the asbestos removal operations with experience in both public and private sectors in nuclear, power generation, MOD, health, rail, healthcare, education, retail, commercial, land remediation and broad industrial sectors of the market.
His experiences in these sectors crosses over into a number of areas including industrial insulation, fire protection and asbestos removal.
Robin’s current role as Divisional Director gives him overall responsibility for the operations at the Birmingham Regional Office, Southern Region of the country and Aldermaston Site (HVAC , asbestos removal and construction-based activities). Robin is responsible for all financial, commercial and operational issues within the business, together with the health and safety of all our employees and clients and stakeholders.
Neil Ferguson – Divisional Director
Neil is Kitsons Divisional Director for Scotland, he has over 30 years of experience delivering industrial services spanning asbestos removal, scaffolding and thermal insulation within nuclear construction and decommissioning, defence, local authority, education, nuclear and fossil power and petro-chemical industries.
Neil started his career with Kitsons as a thermal insulation engineer in 1983 where he moved through the ranks to site supervisor, contracts manager, project manager and then Divisional Director.
Neil’s role as Divisional Director gives him overall responsibility for the day to day operations at Kitsons Glasgow and Rosyth Regional Offices.
Neil has a responsibility for all financial, commercial and operational issues within the business and the interests of clients and stakeholders.
Neil is also responsible for ensuring that health and safety compliance is established at the work place. Neil ensures that all staff and operatives receive adequate and appropriate training and that sound working practices are observed at all times.
