Paul Langham has been named as the new Chairman of the IOA Group, succeeding John Powell who has stepped down after 15-years at the helm of what is the UK’s largest independent machine operator. Langham has 40 years’ experience in the industry and is Managing Director of leading operating company Town & County Leisure, was confirmed in his post at the IOA AGM which was held at last week’s EAG show.
In other developments Nick Rudd, Managing Director of Bob Rudd Leisure, was appointed IOA Vice Chairman with Chris Harrison, of Alan Davis Automatics joining the five strong Executive Team of Paul Langham, Nick Rudd, John Powell and Steve Hawkins.
Commenting on the outcome of the AGM, Paul Langham said: “I’m honoured to be leading the IOA, an organisation which continues to raise the bar in machine operating and is a standard bearer for professionalism and dedication. Having worked alongside John Powell for more years than we both probably care to remember I know only too well the amount of time and insight he has dedicated to the IOA and it is fair to say that the vast majority of the success we have enjoyed over the last decade and a half can be traced back to what he has brought to the table. John’s gift to the IOA is that he has introduced a raft of systems, structures and procedures which underpin the organisation and enable us to respond and adapt to the demands of operating in what is a dynamic business environment.”
Looking to the future Paul Langham added: “Every organisation needs to have an influx of fresh thinking and I’m delighted to welcome Nick Rudd as Vice Chairman and Chris Harrison who joins the IOA Executive. Both Nick and Chris have accumulated a great level of industry experience and will contribute significantly to the thinking of the IOA as we approach our 25th anniversary next year.”