Lee Harwood will be responsible for overseeing administrative operations and developing operating procedures to optimise productivity and efficiency across the organisation.

Bradfords Building Supplies, the leading independent supplier of building materials in the South West, has promoted Lee Harwood as new Chief Operating Officer, following four years as Group Finance Director.

The new role will see Harwood continue to work closely with CEO David Young in setting the company's vision and implementing business strategies. 

Having joined the company in 2009, Harwood will now oversee all operational support functions, including Finance, IT, HR, Health & Safety, Transport, Facilities, eCommerce, and Commercial Content.

Harwood said: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge as Bradfords’ Chief Operating Officer. It’s an exciting time for the business with ambitious growth plans in place for the coming years, and I look forward to working with our talented team to drive operational excellence to enable Bradfords to achieve its goals."

Young added: “Lee has been an invaluable member of the Bradfords leadership team for many years, and excelled in his role as Group Finance Director.

“His strategic mindset, experience and deep understanding of our operations make him ideally suited for the role. I'm confident Lee will provide outstanding leadership as our COO."

Elsewhere in the business, Head of Finance Carl Sturman has been promoted to the role of Finance Director, while Builders Merchant News Top 100 Young Achievers inductee, Gareth Griffin has moved up into the role of Bradfords’ Financial Controller.