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Growth-hunting Salford building firm make Peter Collins first chairman


Manchester and Cheshire Construction have appointed growth expert Peter Collins as their first ever chairman.

Collins joins the board in a non-executive capacity as the company seeks to more than double annual revenue over the next three years.

The family-owned firm, based on Oldfield Road in Salford, is aiming to increase turnover to £20m by 2018.

It achieved revenues of £8.5m in the year to September 30, 2014.

Manchester and Cheshire Construction, which employs 55 people, undertakes building projects throughout the North West in the commercial, education, retail, industrial, residential and conservation sectors.

Mr Collins was a co-founder of Fast Forward Growth, a Manchester-based organisation which advises companies on their expansion and funding strategies. He is also a director of Access to Finance, which operates across the North West, and is a registered coach for the government-backed GrowthAccelerator programme.

His first consultancy, Management Services International, which he founded in 1990, was later ranked as one of Britain’s 20 fastest-growing companies.

He is a main board adviser to 30 companies and holds several other non-executive posts across the North West.

David Lowe, managing director of Manchester & Cheshire Construction, said: “We have been working with Peter in a less formal capacity for some time and we have found his input to be invaluable.

“His appointment as our first-ever chairman brings his skills further into the mix.

“He points us in the right direction, challenges our traditional way of thinking and provides a sounding board for new ideas.”

Mr Lowe added: “We have enjoyed strong growth in recent years and now is the right time to seek external expertise to guide us towards our target of achieving turnover of £20m by 2018.

“Peter is the ideal person to help us meet our goals. He has a wealth of experience in dealing with high-growth companies and, as chairman, he will be able to help us build new relationships and act as an ambassador for the business.

“A large part of our growth plan is centred on our new development division led by Michael Purcell, and Peter also has vast experience in this area.”

Mr Collins said: “With a strong trading history, robust balance sheet, highly-reputable project portfolio and repeat client list, Manchester & Cheshire Construction is ripe for increased momentum and I am looking forward to using my experience and skills to help the company realise its growth plans.”

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Tom is SalfordOnline.com's News Editor and community co-ordinator.