Scottish house builder and timber systems manufacturer Stewart Milne Group has announced the appointment of a new group finance director.

Stuart MacGregor will join the Aberdeen-headquartered group of companies in April as it implements significant growth plans across its operations.

The firm said he brings more than 20 years of experience in finance leadership roles in the UK and Europe to his new role.

The group – one of only 16 Home Builders Federation five-star house builders in the UK – is bringing new home developments forward across Scotland and the north-west of England via its Stewart Milne Homes divisions while its Stewart Milne Timber Systems business continues to grow its market share within the residential and wider construction markets in the UK.

Mr MacGregor, an Aberdeen University graduate, has a successful record in senior finance roles within companies in the UK and Europe where he has managed finance, IT, and procurement functions. He is equally experienced in group and divisional roles and has achieved major successes with a strong track record in delivering profit growth, developing business strategy and implementing financial controls.

He is currently completing a senior project finance role with distillers William Grant & Sons after a successful 15 year career with drinks giant Heineken NV.

His most recent role was as Global Business Control Director, based in Amsterdam where he spent three years. Prior to this he held a number of senior finance roles across the business including Finance Director of Finland’s second largest beverages company, Hartwall Oy, from 2007 to 2011, and the roles of Head of Commercial Finance at Central de Cervejas, Portugal’s leading brewer, and Change Director at Alken-Maes, Belgium’s second largest brewer, before that.

He began his career as a Senior Auditor in the National Audit Office in London in 1994, performing audits in more than 20 countries for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, British Council and World Health Organisation.

Commenting on the appointment, Glenn Allison, chief executive officer of the Stewart Milne Group, said: “Stuart brings a wealth of experience to the senior group finance role at a period of strategic growth for our homes and timber systems businesses. His insight and understanding of dynamic, multi-faceted businesses, coupled with his proven commercial awareness and ability to support growth through effective financial management, will make an important contribution to our performance.

“His appointment underlines the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for us and demonstrates our commitment to attract the brightest and best talent from inside and outside the construction industry as we continue to develop,” said Mr Allison.

Mr MacGregor said: “The challenge of working with a highly-respected, growing and independent company is one that I am very excited to have the opportunity to pursue. Stewart Milne Group is a profitable, financially robust, sustainable business with a corporate strategy focused on growth. I look forward to being part of the team that will realise its plan to double turnover and business activity in the years ahead.”

Mr MacGregor’s predecessor, John Irvine, left the role last month to take up the post of group chief executive officer with Bancon Group after 13 years with the business.