Richard Baldry

I ran Brett Landscaping that manufactured a range of concrete landscaping products on 4 UK sites, the products included concrete block paving, paving slabs, facing bricks and kerbs. I was responsible for Finance, Commercial, Operations, Technical and Logistics with around 270 people. My team led the business to two record profit years, delivering a ROCE of over 20% and also delivered a fundamental culture change programme which culminated with us being recognised by the Mineral Products Association as the best in class in 2024 for our health and safety performance

I delivered the initial turnaround of Charcon Construction Solutions from a multi million pound loss in 2015 to a profit by the end of 2016. The business had lost money in every financial year from 2009 to 2015, returning to profit in 2016, following the strategic review that I carried out and the actions that came out of this which my team delivered. I am responsible for a multi site operation across the UK with a team of over 150 people in all the functions of Commercial, Operations, Technical, Finance and Logistics.

I was responsible for the Commercial and Supply Chain teams within the Overseas division of Aggregate Industries. This involves the formulation and implementation of the commercial strategy to deliver sales of over 9 million tonnes of aggregates from our offshore quarries. The core markets are the UK, Germany, the Baltics, Denmark, Norway, France, Holland and Belgium. I am also responsible for all the Offshore customers as well as the major European infrastructure projects.

I was responsible for all commercial, technical and logistic activities within the company both in the UK and abroad. Led team to deliver above budget performance and most profitable year since 2006 • Implemented Integrated Management System and CRM System. • Designed and implemented a Specification Sales Team and CPD package.

I ran 61 operating sites with a team of 200 people. This General Management role encompassed Sales, Operations, Technical and Financial. The Region went from making a loss of £10m in 2007 to making a profit of £1.6m in 2011. The Region was the leading performer in the UK, beating budget in the all 4 years. I was seconded for three months, to lead an international improvement project in China in 2009. The project delivered $1.6m of improvements.

I was the Project Director for the Cemex China business based in Tianjin and Qingdao. I headed up a multi functional project team which delivered the full integration of the Chinese business and savings of $1.6M per annum after just 4 months work.

Worked as Interim Manager with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) before joining CEMEX. I ran all the Blocks, Concrete Block Paving, Decorative Paving and Roof Tiles businesses for CEMEX in the UK, as well as the cavity closure business. This was an 18-site operation and I was responsible for 460 people. I improved profits by 18% in 2006 and a further 8% in 2007. Working Capital was reduced by £7m during that period.

I was a shareholding Director and helped the company grow rapidly from a £4M to £9M turnover. We manufactured, sourced and distributed natural and artificial stone products for walling and hard landscaping applications.