White Young Green chief executive goes - with immediate effect

White Young Green chief executive Lawrie Haynes is leaving his post with immediate effect.

Paul Hamer, currently the chief operating officer, will take on the position of managing director and will report to Peter Wood, chairman, who, as a consequence of these changes, will increase his time in the business.

Haynes departs “by mutual agreement”.

In November WYG unveiled a new brand structure in an attempt to breathe some life into the business.

Prior to that commercial director Denis Connery left “by mutual agreement” following a review of operations across the group. That move resulted in Hamer adding all commercial functions to his existing role of chief operating officer.

WYG’s latest annual results (12 months to 30 June 2008) showed a 28% jump in turnover to £280m and pre-tax profit of £17m.

At that time the group was carrying a goodwill figure on its books of £116m as a result of its rapid blast down the acquisitions trail and the result of all that waving of the chequebook was that goodwill accounted for all but £4m of the group’s net assets which stood at £120m.

About that time there was news of a possible take-over offer from WYG. Speculation put the names of two Dutch players in the frame: Arcadis and Grontmij.