Specialist external brick and terracotta cladding systems supplier Aquarian Cladding Systems has made significant structural changes to the business for 2021 and beyond.
Julian Venus has moved into the role of Business Development Director, whilst Jazz Rigden has joined the board as the new Sales Director, having joined the company in 2015 as Technical Sales Manager in the South of England.
Chris Gill, who joined the company in 2012 has also been promoted and will become the Operations Manager, where he will take greater responsibility for management of the company's Approved Installer Network and its operational infrastructure.
Managing Director Paul Richards explained: "Last year provided us with renewed focus to regroup and reshape the business to ensure we optimise our position in the marketplace.
"Optimism in the construction industry is at a four-year high, and there are plenty of opportunities for a company like Aquarian to contribute to the Government's agenda of an increased use of Modern Methods of Construction and 'Build, Build, Build'.
"We therefore need to continue to be strategic on how we build the company and Julian will be working more closely with our supply chain to leave no stone unturned. He's got the experience, knowledge, and contacts and we want to utilise that in a more productive way by building even stronger relationships.
"We're focussed on organic, sustainable growth as a result of investing in our existing members of staff, whilst also adding to the team, such as the appointment of Grant Softley in Scotland towards the end of 2020.
"Jazz has the is dynamism, knowledge, connections and respect of her colleagues and industry peers. She has rightly earned the opportunity to build on Julian's success and lead our external sales team.
"In fact, we are already working on drafts of the job descriptions to add to both the external team and our office-based team in North Somerset, as we enter an exciting future for the company."
At the beginning of 2020, Aquarian introduced MechSlip, an innovative non-combustible, mechanically-fixed cladding solution developed by Ibstock and Ash & Lacy, to its portfolio to sit alongside its panellised Gebrik Insulating Brick Cladding System.
Later in the year, it added its second A1-rated mechanically-fixed solution, NaturAL-X, also developed by Ash & Lacy, to a product range that also includes the A1-rated Terreal Terracotta Rainscreen System.
Aquarian has also launched its new high-end website as it looks to hit the ground running in the first quarter of the year, which can be viewed by visiting www.aquariancladding.co.uk.
"Not many companies do what we do in the way that we do it. We don't just supply cladding systems," added Paul, "we continue to challenge ourselves by ensuring we add value across our whole supply chain, which includes our Approved Installer Network, our dedicated relationships we with a small, focussed number of suppliers, and our strategic relationships with materials suppliers who interface with our systems."
"We also liaise with warranty providers, testing facilities, and ensure we understand our role in the market via membership of organisations such as Constructing Excellence and the Centre for Window & Cladding Technology. It's what defines our USP and the culture of Aquarian's people.
"We will continue to develop it even further and, having widened our portfolio and made these structural changes to the business, we are increasing our exposure to market opportunities, while also developing the business further, for example using IT and automation to create simplified processes.
"We have never really had the capacity to do that, and the restructure will enable us to do it with greater speed and focus. We have the right people in place to make it happen by utilising the skills that they, and we, have invested in.
"Our business has always been about the people within it – it's Aquarian's people that make things happen and that will never change. With these changes, we see exciting times ahead."
Working with architects, contractors, developers and installation specialists, Aquarian's cladding systems have been used on many award-winning buildings across a wide range of sectors. For more information call 0808 223 9080, email info@aquariancladding.co.uk or visit www.aquariancladding.co.uk.
