Stone names new CEO

Former finance director Simon Harbridge beats other hopefuls to take the hot seat

Stone Group has unveiled its new chief executive after a "robust" recruitment process.

Former finance director Simon Harbridge is stepping into the position vacated by incumbent James Bird in October.

Harbridge has been a board member for seven years and helped manage Stone Group's first management buyout (MBO) in 2005 and a second MBO in 2008, funded by current owners and investors RJD partners.

The firm said the recruitment process involved both internal and external candidates.

John Dillon, managing partner at RJD Partners, said: "Simon is a natural leader with proven operational and business experience and is instrumental to the solid position that the company is in today.

"His appointment creates a degree of consistency across the organisation that he has been instrumental in developing. It is his knowledge of the company, the respect of staff, partners and customers that Simon commands that will be fundamental to its ongoing success and growth."

In a statement, Harbridge, said: "I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to lead a very talented group of employees at Stone.

“Stone’s reputation is synonymous with quality of service and I look forward to leading the company into the next phase of its growth.”

Stone also revealed it was currently hunting for a new finance director, but a candidate has not been selected yet.