ETAG APPOINTS MIKE NEWNHAM AS CHAIR

Drylining, insulation, and M&E solutions distributor etag has announced the appointment of Mike Newnham as its new Chair, marking a pivotal step in the company’s ambitious growth strategy.

Mike joins etag following a distinguished career at Saint-Gobain, where he served as CEO of its Building Distribution Business and Managing Director of Jewson. Previously, Mike was Chief Customer Officer at Royal Mail for five years and held various executive roles at Orange UK over a decade, including Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, leading both the B2B and consumer divisions.

Reflecting on his career, Mike highlighted two significant milestones: “The significant transformation, growth and subsequent sale of Saint-Gobain’s distribution business in 2023,” and being part of the team that saw Royal Mail join the FTSE100.

He emphasised that his experience across strategic transformation and growth in large organisations will play a crucial role in helping etag achieve its goals. “My experience of successfully leading strategic transformation and growth with three large organisations in different industries lends itself to helping etag achieve its growth ambitions,” Mike said.

etag, which operates across the UK’s major cities, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Europe, is a complete system solutions provider specialising in drylining, insulation, membranes, M&E support systems, and fixings. The company is known for its ability to enhance project timelines and processes through its product and service offerings.

Mike Newnham: New Chair, etag

Earlier this year, etag celebrated its 20th anniversary, unveiling key appointments to its leadership team, including Emma Hoten-Pool as Commercial Director and Michael Kelly as Sales Director for the Irish market. The company also announced its strategic focus on enhancing its offerings for customers, suppliers, and the wider industry.

Commenting on his new role, Mike said: “Having the opportunity to join etag was an attractive proposition, with the business having such a strong history and being family-owned with an entrepreneurial culture. This provides a strong platform to begin the next exciting part of its journey.”

Mike outlined his vision for the business: “We are in a great position to elevate the business’ existing capabilities with new services, to drive significant improvements, building on what we offer to existing customers and suppliers, and striking new relationships with businesses who can also benefit from what we do.”

He also shared his immediate priorities: “My immediate objectives are to find ways to improve our customer experience, putting people first supported by new digital platforms and new technologies, and ensure sustainability runs throughout our operations.”

Mike praised etag’s strengths, saying: “What’s been clear to me from day one is that etag excels at creating strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and it’s this, along with the team’s expertise and can-do approach, that means the business is in a strong position to grow significantly in the coming years.”

etag continues to position itself as a leader in its field, with Mike’s appointment signalling an exciting new chapter in the company’s growth and development.