Leeds-based Bedfords Group has appointed Lee Nichols as its new MD.

Nichols replaces Steff Pfadenhauer following a restructure focused on “succession planning to deliver future aspirations and continued development of both organic and acquisitive business growth”.

Pfadenhauer remains as CEO and a member of the board of directors. He will take an active consultancy role on a part time basis.

The group, which has operating centres in Birstall and Milton Keynes, owns LinQ Alliance and is a founding member of Palletforce.

In 2014 it added RPL Logistics to its portfolio.

Nichols began working with Bedfords in 2011 as a purchasing consultant. He became business improvement manager before being appointed business improvement director in February 2014.

“My vision for Bedfords is to be considered as one of the most favourable logistics business for personnel to work.

“To do that we need to develop the business from its solid commercial and service base so that it grows in a sustainable manner over the coming years.”

SP & PL Holdings

Bedfords latest accounts for the period to 27 September 2015 show the business is now owned by SP & PL Holdings, which was incorporated at Companies House in November 2014.

Pfadenhauer, who joined Bedfords’ board in 2007 as transport director, is listed as holding an 80% stake in SP & PL Holdings. The Bedford family holds the remainder.

In the accounting period Bedfords recorded turnover of £20m compared with £24m for the period from 30 September 2013 to 28 September 2014.

Pre-tax profit in the period to 27 September was £1m compared with nearly £400,000 for the 30 September 2013 to 28 September 2014 period.

Referring to the restructuring, the directors of SP & PL Holdings said the group, which employs 193 staff, “had come through a significant year of change in good health”.

It added that the group had reduced its dependence on a base of a few large customers, gaining new customers in new markets, aided by its purchase of RPL Transport.

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