Denholm Logistics Group recently marked a leadership milestone, with the appointment of Alan Platt as Managing Director, following the retirement of his predecessor, Niall Denholm.

Denholm Logistics Group is a division of family-owned diversified business, the Denholm Group.  Its subsidiaries are well-established in the logistics and port services sectors, providing freight forwarding, warehousing and transportation solutions, the short-sea shipping of timber products, and the port agency of a range of vessels in the UK and the island of Ireland.

Niall Denholm served 12 successful years at the helm of Denholm Logistics Group, leading the division through several acquisitions and major capital projects, while always placing employees and their safety at the heart of his management philosophy.

Alan Platt joined Denholm as part of the acquisition of Good Logistics in August 2021, where he led the business. As Divisional Managing Director of Denholm Good Logistics, he spearheaded the integration of two separate businesses – Good Logistics and Denholm Global Logistics – into one combined organisation.

Ben MacLehose, CEO of parent company J. & J. Denholm, said, “As Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group, Niall Denholm has grown and developed the division tremendously.  He has also been an ardent supporter of enabling employees to progress their careers, from entry-level roles to company directors.  I wish Niall a happy and productive retirement.”

Ben continues, “I look forward to working with Alan in his new role as Managing Director. I have no doubt that Denholm Logistics Group will continue to flourish with Alan at its helm.  As a seasoned leader in logistics, Alan has a successful track record of seeking growth opportunities for the businesses he leads and the people within them.”

Niall Denholm retired as Managing Director of Denholm Logistics Group on 3^rd May 2024.  Alan Platt was appointed Denholm Logistics Group Managing Director on 4^th May 2024.

With the Denholm Group continuing its plans for growth, we are pleased to announce two new executive leadership appointments in support of its strategic plans.  Former Chief Financial Officer, Simon Preston, has taken up the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, while Steven Wallace has joined as Chief Financial Officer.  Reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer, Ben MacLehose, both appointments are also executive members of the J. & J. Denholm board, chaired by John Denholm.

The new appointments are made at an exciting time for The Denholm Group as it continues its strategy of growth, both organically and through considered acquisitions, in the diversified industries in which it operates: shipping, logistics, seafoods and industrial services.

Simon Preston joined The Denholm Group in 2005 as an accountant.  In 2017, he was appointed Group Finance Director and an executive member of the J. & J. Denholm board and, in 2021, he became Chief Financial Officer.

Steven Wallace joins The Denholm Group from the University of Strathclyde, where he held the role of Chief Financial Officer from June 2019.  Prior to that, Steven worked for The Weir Group PLC for 15 years, where he held a number of roles including Divisional Finance Director.

Ben MacLehose, Chief Executive Officer of J. & J. Denholm, commented, “I am delighted with the latest leadership appointments at The Denholm Group.  Having served as an excellent CFO, I look forward to continuing to work closely with Simon Preston in his capacity as Chief Operating Officer, in which he will focus on reinforcing the Group’s operations and development.  I am also delighted to welcome Steven Wallace to the team.  As Chief Financial Officer, and along with the rest of the team, he will help shape and develop the strategy of continued growth, both today and in the future.”

John Denholm, Chairman of J. & J. Denholm, commented, “The recent appointments of Simon Preston as Chief Operating Officer and Steven Wallace as Chief Financial Officer have strengthened the executive leadership team of J. & J. Denholm.  Together, Simon and Steven will be a great support to Chief Executive Officer, Ben MacLehose, as he steers The Denholm Group through the next generational phase of growth and transformation.”

Simon Preston and Steven Wallace formally commenced their new roles on 4^th May, 2023.

J. & J. Denholm is the parent company of subsidiaries belonging to diversified family-owned business The Denholm Group, which is led by Chief Executive Officer and fifth-generation Denholm family member, Ben MacLehose. Its roots can be traced back to 1866 and, today, the Group operates four divisions: Shipping, Logistics, Seafoods and Industrial Services. The Denholm Group employs over 1,500 people, who work to the principles of the ‘Denholm Standard’: upholding the law, integrity, fairness

Following the recent update informing of changes to its executive leadership team, J. & J. Denholm is delighted to announce further changes to its head office senior management team.

Craig Daniels, In-house Legal Counsel, has also been appointed Company Secretary, following the retirement of former Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Greg Hanson, while Charlie McCarthy has joined the Group as Group Commercial Manager.

Craig Daniels is a qualified lawyer and joined J. & J. Denholm as In-house Legal Counsel in 2018.  Prior to joining the Group, Craig worked for a large Scottish law firm, where he had a practice focussing on corporate and commercial matters for clients across a number of different sectors.   Extending his role at J. & J. Denholm to Company Secretary, Craig is responsible for advising the J. & J. Denholm board on all governance matters.

Charlie McCarthy recently joined J. & J. Denholm as Group Commercial Manager and will support both the executive team and individual Denholm Group companies on commercial projects.  Charlie is a Chartered Accountant and prior to joining Denholm, worked for PwC after graduating in 2009.  While gaining his CA qualification, Charlie worked in PwC’s audit practice for three years, before moving into Corporate Finance, where he provided advice to clients making acquisitions, disposals and raising external funding.

Ben MacLehose, who was recently appointed the Group’s new Chief Executive, commented, “I am pleased that Craig Daniels has been appointed our new Company Secretary.  As our In-house Legal Counsel, Craig diligently advises the Group on a wide range of matters.  Extending his responsibilities to formally advise the J. & J. Denholm board on compliance and governance matters as Company Secretary is the logical progression, for both Craig and the Group.  I am also pleased to welcome Charlie McCarthy to Denholm as Group Commercial Manager.  In his role, Charlie will be involved in a wide range of activities, including commercial projects and the delivery of the Group’s M&A strategy.”

Craig Daniels was appointed J. & J. Denholm Company Secretary on 1^st January 2021 and Charlie McCarthy joined as Group Commercial Manager on 5^th January 2021.

Pictured (l-r): John Denholm, Ben MacLehose, Simon Preston

The transition from 2020 to 2021 marks a significant change in the executive leadership of J. & J. Denholm.  On 31^st December 2020, John Denholm and Greg Hanson stepped down as Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer respectively, after leading the Denholm Group together for over a quarter of a century.  Stepping into their positions as of 1^st January 2021, Ben MacLehose is appointed Group Chief Executive and Simon Preston is appointed Chief Financial Officer.

Although stepping down as Chief Executive, John Denholm will continue to be closely engaged with the Group as Chairman.  While retiring from his executive role, Greg Hanson will be involved with the Group, having agreed to be a non-executive director.

John Denholm has been working for the Denholm Group since May 1981.  He was appointed Chief Executive in 1993 and Chairman in 1998.  Reflecting on his time leading Denholm, John Denholm said, “I have seen the Group travel through an incredible journey over the last 39 years and it is now time to pass the reins on to a new generation.  I identified Ben MacLehose as my successor some years ago.  I have been working closely with him for several years and I can step back, safe in the knowledge that I am leaving the Group in good hands.”

Newly appointed CEO, Ben MacLehose, is a fifth-generation member of the Denholm family.  He trained as a Chartered Accountant and worked in restructuring and insolvency before joining the Denholm Group in April 2012 as Group Commercial Manager.  He was appointed Group Managing Director in June 2017, as well as an executive member of the J. & J. Denholm board.

Ben MacLehose commented, “It has been a privilege working with and learning from John Denholm since joining the Group.  I am delighted he is remaining closely involved as Chairman and I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with him through the next chapter of the Group’s story.  I am also very lucky to be embarking on this new chapter with someone as strong and committed as Simon Preston.”

Newly appointed Chief Financial Officer, Simon Preston, joined the Denholm Group in 2005 as an accountant.  In 2017, he was appointed Group Finance Director and an executive member of the J. & J. Denholm board.

Simon Preston commented, “I am delighted to have formed such a strong working relationship with Ben MacLehose and I believe that, with Ben at the helm, the Group will continue to thrive in the years to come.”

J. & J. Denholm is the parent company of subsidiaries belonging to diversified family-owned business the Denholm Group. Its roots can be traced back to 1866 and today, the Group operates four divisions: Shipping, Logistics, Seafoods and Industrial Services. The Denholm Group employs over 1,000 people, who work to the principles of the ‘Denholm Standard’: upholding the law, integrity, fairness and respect.