North east housebuilder and construction firm Bancon Group has today announced the appointment of John Irvine as group chief executive officer.

Mr Irvine will take the helm at an exciting time for Bancon as it seeks to build on its success in house-building, commercial construction, developments and timber frame manufacturing and grow its £79 million turnover.

Mr Irvine brings over 25 years of experience in business funding, change management and finance as well as experience in mergers and acquisition. Currently Group finance director for Stewart Milne Group, Mr Irvine will join the Bancon Group in January.

Bob Hutcheson, Group chairman of Bancon Group, said: “John brings highly relevant experience coupled with a strong commercial background that will be hugely beneficial to Bancon. He will play a significant role in our development plans as we pursue our group-wide growth strategy in the coming years. We currently have 10 sites for which re-zoning and planning consent has been secured and we are confident of long-term, sustainable growth in all of our business areas.”

Mr Irvine added: “I am excited to join the team at Bancon Group and look forward to developing and implementing a successful strategy to see the group achieve its growth potential and realise its plans to develop its strong market presence across each of its businesses”

Glenn Allison, chief executive officer of Stewart Milne Group, said: “After 14 years with Stewart Milne Group, John Irvine, Group Finance Director is moving on at the end of January to take on a role as CEO. He has been a great asset to our business and a valued member of our senior management team. We wish him the very best in his new role.

“We are now in the process of selecting a new Group Finance Director and already have some exceptional internal and external candidates to consider.”