Lords has appointed Steve Durdant-Hollamby as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its Merchanting division.

Durdant-Hollamby brings with him 26 years of industry experience, having held leadership positions in major building material companies spanning merchanting and manufacturing. Most recently, he served as Divisional Managing Director at Genuit Plc (Polypipe).

His career includes extensive involvement in the development of innovative solutions to address the challenges of climate change, population growth, and sustainable urbanisation. His leadership in the building material industry, coupled with a proven track record of driving growth and operational excellence, make him an invaluable addition to the Lords executive team, according to the company.

In his new role, Durdant-Hollamby will lead Lords Builders Merchants, Advance Roofing, Condell, George Lines, and Hevey brands, while partnering with Shanker Patel, CEO of Lords. This appointment is a key part of the Group’s strategy to expand its Merchanting division and grow the business over the next few years.

Shanker Patel, CEO of Lords, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Steve. His impressive experience in merchanting, building products, and civils, alongside his ability to build high-performing teams, aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. Steve’s leadership will be crucial in realising our ambitious growth plans and reinforcing our commitment to creating a sustainable, socially responsible business.”

Commenting on his appointment, Durdant-Hollamby, said: "I am excited to join Lords and take on this new challenge. The Company’s reputation for quality and commitment to exceptional service as well as sustainable growth was key in attracting me to the business. I look forward to working with Shanker and the team to drive forward new opportunities with my experience to help grow the business to its full potential."