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

J. & J. Denholm (The Denholm Group) congratulates their Chairman, John, on being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the Maritime Sector and Charities in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

John joined family-owned diversified business, the Denholm Group, in 1981.  He became the Chief Executive of the Group in 1993 and Chairman in 1998.  He retired as Chief Executive in 2020 but remains closely involved in the business as Chairman.  John is also Chairman of Denholm Energy Services, which was demerged from J. & J. Denholm in 2015.

During his career, John has taken an active role in the UK and global shipping industry and many of its charitable associations.  He is currently President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, where he is leading the UK shipping industry’s response to the climate emergency.  He was President of The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) from 2013 to 2015 and was Prime Warden of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights in 2019/2020.  He was also previously President of Glasgow Shipowners’ Benevolent Association and Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen.

On Tuesday 16th March, J. & J. Denholm Group Head of IT, Jason Borstal, was guest speaker at the first digital “Transformation Talks” event of 2021, a series of exclusive seminars hosted by specialist technology and change recruitment company, Hamilton Forth.

Jason joined J. & J. Denholm in November 2020 to provide technology vision and leadership to the Group. During his 30 years of experience in the IT industry, which includes a number of senior IT leadership roles in large multinational companies, Jason has led various technology transformation programmes. During his “Transformation Talk”, Jason shared with other senior IT professionals his own experience of managing digital change, including the techniques he has refined and the pitfalls to look out for.

Transformation is a journey

“I deliberately avoid the term ‘technology transformation’”, explains Jason. “It can often conjure false but detrimental images of disruptively moving an organisation from legacy systems to Uber-style technologies overnight. Instead, I prefer to think of transformation as a journey, a continuous stream of cohesive and small improvements and initiatives that form part of a bigger picture.”

Targeted communication

“Communication is critical and I have found that targeted communication is fundamental in gaining buy-in from across the organisation. I recommend IT leaders engage widely across the organisation, from senior management to shopfloor workers. Explain all aspects of what you’re working on but in a way that is meaningful to those you are speaking to. Emphasise the positive impact on their roles, be honest about initial implementation challenges and allay any concerns. It goes without saying, avoid jargon! What is second nature to IT professionals is not always intuitive to the business.”

Get the basics right first

“Experience has taught me that, in any IT organisation, it is best to separate operational activities – such as the IT service desk and IT support – from proactive business partnering activities. To set up an IT organisation for true, trusted business partnering, I have found proactive engagement models to be really effective. An internal Business Systems Improvement Group can identify pain points within the organisation and evaluate how they could be overcome by leveraging technology. However, your credibility will suffer if the IT organisation does not get the basics right first. There is nothing more frustrating than presenting an innovative technology solution to a major business headache and your audience focusses on (justifiable) complaints of unresolved help desk tickets. I encourage my teams to be certified in their own areas, taking their learnings to deliver IT service with excellence.”

Drive insight from data

“That said, I am an advocate of strong metrics to remove any subjectivity over the performance of an IT organisation. Data can also indicate the level of business buy-in to a project. For example, an IT organisation may have successfully completed the User Acceptance Test (UAT) and concluded the intensive care period following implementation but user stats reveal a picture of low usage. If you don’t have business buy-in, you don’t have a successful project, and this is where metrics can be really insightful.”

Do not underestimate the emotional impact

Referencing the Kubler-Ross Change Curve, Jason explained the internal emotional journey that individuals typically experience when dealing with change and transition. “Listen and show empathy to your colleagues, but don’t be afraid to challenge the norms. Avoid subjective views and instead use data to measure success or failure.”

Emulate before you innovate

“I realised early on that no-one outside of the IT function really cares about the technology. What matters are business outcomes, such as reducing costs, increasing revenue and making processes easier. From that perspective, it is helpful to look at the challenges faced by other organisations and how they overcome them through technology and process improvement.”

Time for reflection

Jason summarised, “For me, transformation is something you do in bite-sized chunks, which means its progress often goes unnoticed. It’s only when you ask the business to reflect on how it used to work versus how it works now, and how it interacts with its customers and suppliers today that, together, you conclude that a technology transformation has taken place.”

“Transformation Talks” is an exclusive series of online events hosted by specialist technology and change recruitment company, Hamilton Forth. The seminars feature guest speakers in senior IT positions, who share their experience of digital transformations and what they learned from the process of digital change. Find out more here.

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.