EVO strengthens board

The holding company of the EVO group of companies has appointed Ken Williamson as non-executive director.
Ken strengthens the board of EVO Business Supplies by bringing significant successful senior level experience of merger and acquisition and financing work, as well as of general commercial affairs.
He is currently chairman of Stoke-on-Trent based DW3 Products Group, a strategic investor in innovative, high growth manufacturing companies in the fenestration sector. The group is backed by north and midlands-based private equity specialists NorthEdge Capital.
Earlier in his career, Ken was transactions director of energy recruitment specialists Air Energi, a consultant and acting chief finance officer for a Montagu Private Equity-backed management buy-out and a partner with Big Four accountancy practice Ernst & Young.
While at Air Energi, he led negotiations and structuring in the company’s merger with Swift Worldwide Resources. The pair in 2016 formed Airswift Holdings, an almost £1bn operator in over 50 countries, serving the technical manpower needs of energy supermajors.
Prior to that, Ken worked at Montagu Private Equity on their acquisition and subsequent carve out from banking group UBS of CEFS International, a business using cloud technologies to administer employee share participation programmes and related trading. The merged business was subsequently renamed Equatex.
That experience followed almost 17 years as a partner at Ernst & Young, where he built a leading reputation as a corporate finance advisor and sat on the management board for the transactions business as head of corporate finance for UK and Ireland.
Commenting on his appointment at EVO, Ken said: “I’m joining the board at a really interesting time. The EVO group of companies are a leading player, strategically well placed and performing strongly in a sector offering exciting opportunities through channel shift and ongoing consolidation.
“An important part of my role will involve supporting the management team as they look at a range of merger and acquisition and financing opportunities.”
Welcoming Ken to the EVO board, Steve Haworth, group chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to have a senior and experienced professional with Ken’s background and expertise on the board. He’s certain to be a major and positive influence on our organisation as we continue to exploit current opportunities and take advantage of new openings in the years ahead.”