News


Developers looking to future with new staff


THE Gallagher Group has an- nounced a series of appointments to maintain growth in the multi- million pound business. As new non-executive director,


Steve Hollingshead, formerly of J Murphy andSons, is one of themost recent acquisitions.Hewill support the next phase of development for the company, started 45 years ago byPatGallagher,who is 70 this year. NickYandle (pictured), chief exec-


utive of the group, which reported an turnover of nearly £100 million for the financial year, told Downs Mail: “As a family-owned business we need to evolve ourmanagement and leadership structure to meet newbusiness challenges.” For the first time, the group has


taken on external trainers to help staff tackle market challenges, which, in 2017-18, included the loss of two large contracting tenders, a 10% leap in demand for aggregates and lingering echoes of recession in its commercial property sector. Fall-out from the recent house-


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by the group, according toMr Yan- dle, with signs looking on track to produce a further increase in profit, for the sixth consecutive year. However, he added, the current


climate is forcing the business to be “on its game” andaware of the need to evolve and invest in its next gen- eration of seniormanagers. Pat Gallagher recently said: “Our


building boom had left the public understandably opposed to any de- velopment, according toMrYandle. He added: “This has made the tor- tuous planning process even more intensive, even though we create commercial developments, which support the jobsneededby those liv- ing in these newhomes.” Earlier consideration of cost-cut- ting in this area has been abandoned


success has always been built on continually looking to the future. Having non-executive directors of the calibre of Steve to help theman- agement team develop the next chapter in the business’s growth is important.”  GALLAGHER’S plan for an 84,000sqft commercial develop- ment ontheEclipseParkEstate, off J7 on theM20, is due to go before the council’s planning committee inAugust. If approved,Mr Yandle sayswork on the two- storey food, home and fashion store could start before Christmas, withM&S able to take up residence in time for Christmas next year.


downsmail.co.uk Walkers’ £17k


THE Weald of Kent Rotary Club’s 33rd annual walk raised more than £17,000 for charity. About 400 people took part in the


33rd ramble over different routes on theNorthDowns. Thewalkerswere raising funds for


CancerResearchUKandother chari- ties. Organiser Duncan Payne said:


“Everyone seemed to have a good day, everyone was happy and smil- ing.” The final figure raised for good


causes was £17,845, £700 more than on 2017. The club has already started registering people for next year’s event.


Hospice help THEHeart of KentHospicewill be holding a volunteer openmorning at its Aylesford headquarters on August 11, 10am-1pm. A wide range of opportunities


are available for people with some time to spare, including aswaiting staff in one of two cafes,working in one of its 14 shops locally, in pa- tient support, gardening and mar- shalling. If youwould like to know more about HOKH’s volunteering opportunities, www.hokh.org


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