DOWDS GROUP CONFIRMS APPOINTMENT OF NEW EXECUTIVE CHAIR & CEO
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Dowds Group have confirmed the new look of its Board which will see current MD, James Dowds, stepping up to the new role of Executive Chairperson, with Louise McClelland formally appointed as Group CEO.
The unveiling of the new Board is the culmination of 18 months’ work to set out the companies 2030 Strategic Vision and puts in place a leadership with the agility and expertise required to deliver the long-term sustainable growth of the Group.
Dowds Group’s aspiring plans are firmly centred around the development and growth of their people and a drive to deliver smarter solutions across new sectors and geographies.
Having led Dowds Group for over 12 years, James has spearheaded the company’s evolution from electrical contractor to an award-winning National Group. In his new role as Executive Chairperson, James will continue to provide insightful leadership, leading the Board, overseeing governance and guiding strategy in line with the company’s values, people and ESG aspirations.
Assuming the CEO position has been a natural progression for Louise McClelland, who has been working in an advisory capacity to the Board over the last 7 years, most recently as Executive Director. James Dowds described Louise McClelland as an “outstanding leader” with the right experience, energy and values to lead the Dowds Group into an exciting new era.
I believe Louise is the right person to further develop a pathway where we leverage all our experience and accumulated intelligence to build on what we have achieved over the past 46 years and establish Dowds Group as the benchmark for excellence.
“Louise is a proven leader who has worked for more than 20 years leading large-scale business transformation across successful, growth focused privately owned and Private Equity owned companies based throughout Britain and Ireland.
I very much look forward to working with her and the rest of our leadership team as we invest for the future and set about driving excellence, purposeful growth and responsible sustainability throughout the Group together.”
Further appointments to the Board of Directors are expected to be announced in the coming month, including the additional of new Non-Executive Directors (NEDs).
Louise McClelland said she was proud to be given the opportunity to shape and deliver, with the Board and Senior Leadership, a significant business transformation programme that would build on Dowds’ legacy and create a strong, sustainable future for the business. “Dowds is an exceptional owner-managed Group that is renowned both for its unique culture and for the quality of its project delivery. I believe we have incredibly strong foundations on which to build for the future.”