Timber and construction supplier The Donaldson Group has appointed Alyson Donaldson as its new chief financial officer.
She joins from veterinary care provider IVC Evidensia, where she was UK and Ireland chief financial officer, responsible for the transformation and performance improvement of financial operations.
Donaldson was promoted to the post at IVC Evidensia after working as chief financial officer for its subsidiary Vets Now. Prior to this, she spent eight years in senior finance and strategy roles at Diageo, latterly as finance director for international supply.
A chartered accountant, Donaldson started her career at KPMG on the graduate training programme. She graduated from Stirling University with a first-class degree in accounting and economics, and in 2020 she completed a post-graduate course in leadership, strategy and innovation at Napier University.
Donaldson is the first female family member to join the group in an executive role in its 163-year history. She succeeds Arlene Cairns, who took on the role of chief financial officer in 2020.
Chief executive Andrew Donaldson said: “The board and I are thrilled to have Alyson joining us as Group CFO.
“She has an impressive track record of demonstrative success, leading finance functions and driving strategic transformational change and improvements in industry-leading organisations.
“She will be a fantastic addition to our senior leadership team and we’re all very much looking forward to working with her - this is also a very proud milestone for us as a family business, as we welcome another Donaldson into the group.”
Alyson added: “As a family business, this is so much more than a career move for me; it’s something I feel incredibly passionate about.
“I’m looking forward to working with the group executive and finance team, supporting the business as it continues to pioneer in its market, and I’m excited to be contributing to the success of the business for now and for generations to come.”
The 163-year-old group comprises 16 timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK from 49 locations, employing over 1,700 people.
Since 2020, the Fife-based business has doubled in size under the leadership of the sixth generation, Andrew Donaldson as CEO and Michael Donaldson as chair.
The businesses that make up the group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice, innovation, purchasing synergies and market analysis - they include: Donaldson Timber Systems, Donaldson Timber Engineering, MGM Timber Scotland, Kitchens International, Nu-Style Products, Donaldson Door Systems, James Donaldson Insulation, Smith & Frater, Stonecare, Plane & Simple, Perform Panel, TimberCut4U and Optima Kitchens.
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