Mark Woods: The Hire Exchange Chairman.

Mark is a serial entrepreneur, business investor and IT specialist. He brings a wealth of commercial savvy, systems and experience across many commercial sectors. He can advise on process improvement and corporate matters and options in advance of the appointment of legal and accountancy professionals.

David Graham: Partner.

David is a well-known and well-connected industry figure and a widely experienced hire industry leader. Previously David was a Director of SGB Youngman, the largest supplier of access equipment to the hire sector and spearheaded the expansion of the now almost ubiquitous BOSS tower system. Subsequently David was Managing Director of Speedy Services Plc and latterly has operated as a senior advisor to several large hire organisations.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience not only as a supplier to hire companies, but also running and operating within them.  An expert in marketing-driven business transformation he is also a visionary and specialist in the art of the possible.

Ricky Ellam: Associate.

Ricky is a widely experienced hire man. He has started, run and sold numerous tool and equipment hire businesses and worked for several nationals as both an employee and consultant.

His experience includes tools, access, light plant, fencing, lifting, welfare, toilets and survey hire. As a Regional Director and later Managing Director of Speedy Southern, he was involved in all aspects of operations and business development, numerous acquisitions and the roll-out of the Super Store concept.

In 2014, as a consultant, he extended the Gap Groups London footprint of tool and access operations and in 2016 set up 727 Tool Hire, in which he is a shareholder. He also consults for SPE, a manufacturer of concrete surface preparation equipment for the UK and European market.

Neil Holloway: Associate.

Neil is MD & Founder of Wilson Brook – a boutique executive search firm – specialising in the construction products and support services sector. With over 20 years’ experience of senior recruitment for a number of national and specialist hire companies, he has built an impressive network of contacts and has a unique perspective on market opportunities.

Given the nature of his work, confidentiality is paramount and alongside helping to recruit key senior staff he also advises across of all aspects of people, culture and business.

Graham Osmond: Associate.

Graham is one of the best-known personalities in the access and powered access market. With over 40 years’ experience as a salesman, operations manager, sales director, owner and investor, his industry knowledge and contacts are unrivalled.

With over 25 years of employment with leading access and rental companies including, Alan Drew, Hi-Way, Martin Thomas, Access Rental, Instant Zip Up and Upright UK, Graham made the move into Private Equity.

As part of a team and backed by private equity, he acquired Lloyds British from Konecranes and having grown the business from £5m to £17m p.a. assisted in its AIMS flotation.

In 2003 he joined a team and invested in AFI Uplift, which through a combination of acquisitions and greenfield expansion, grew from 6 locations and £3m turnover to 22 locations in the UK and 5 in the Middle East with a turnover in excess of £100m.

In 2019, following the refinancing of AFI, he decided to retire for some well-earned rest.

Six months in the sun has done the trick, and we are delighted to have tempted Graham back to the industry to lend his considerable knowledge and experience to the Hire Exchange team and its clients.