Ian Northen has been appointed chief executive of Ridgeon Group Ltd after seven years as group finance director. 

During this time Ridgeons was named in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100, a league table of Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing profits. In addition, he led the acquisition of three Ridgeons branches and served a year as operations director.

“It’s a real privilege to be appointed to this role at such an important time for Ridgeon Group,” commented Mr Northen.

“I am determined to build on our strong foundations by focusing on developing our core merchant business which continues to thrive and grow. We are looking to the future and this is underlined by Ridgeons’ upcoming online relaunch and the rapid expansion of PlumbStock and Anglia Tool Centre across the region.

“We are proud of our continued heritage as an independent, family-owned business and excited about the potential for further growth.”

Ridgeons is one of the largest independently owned builders’ merchants in the UK and trades from 26 merchant branches in the East of England.

“We are delighted to appoint Ian to the position of CEO,” commented family director Gordon Ridgeon. “We are confident that his vision for the future direction of Ridgeons retains the core objectives of our business – to make it easier for our customers to do business and a commitment to our customers, employees, suppliers, business partners and the local communities in which we live and trade.”

Ridgeon Group which employs around 850 people includes PlumbStock, Anglia Tool Centre, Ridgeons Forest Products and CRS Wholesale. Turnover stands at £160 million per annum.