Our Leadership

John Richards joined the building materials industry after serving a graduate traineeship with the Delta Engineering Group. He served at Ibstock Brick for 31 years as Sales and Marketing Director, Director and General Manager and as Managing Director of several of the group’s subsidiaries.

He now also serves as Chairman of Facilities by ADF plc, a leading supplier of trailers and logistics to the TV and film industry, Chairman of JR and M Investments, a supplier of finance to contractors and is a Director of Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club.

John joined the Board of Brickability in March 2018 as Chairman.

Frank took up his position as chief executive officer of Brickability Group Plc in April 2024. He has over 34 years of experience in the brick industry.

Frank previously spent over 14 years at Michelmersh Brick Holdings Plc, of which he served as joint chief executive for 8 years. As joint CEO he oversaw the significant growth of the business through a series of strategic acquisitions.

Frank joined Freshfield Lane Brickworks (FLB) in 1991 before it was acquired by Michelmersh in 2010. He was appointed to the board of FLB in 1996 as Sales & Technical Director before becoming a shareholder in 2000. Before that, Frank was at Lesser D&B and Hanson Brick Ltd.

He is highly regarded in the brick industry, having previously chaired both the Brick Federation and the Promotional Working Party within the Brick Development Association. He has also served as a main board member of the Brick Development Association.

Mike is a Chartered Management Accountant with an MBA from Nottingham Business School who joined the Board in 2021. Prior to joining, he served as Group CFO at Walker Greenbank PLC. Mike is a highly experienced CFO and brings a breadth of financial, strategic and M&A experience to the Group from his previous roles at Bass plc, Marstons plc, Geest plc, Constellation Brands Inc, Britvic plc and Walker Greenbank plc.

Clive Norman has over 30 years’ experience in the radiator import and service business throughout both Europe and the UK. As the Vice-President of Delonghi Heating and CEO of Ferroli, a commercial producer of boilers, radiators, towelrails and air conditioning, he oversaw sales growth to substantial numbers.

Clive joined the Board of Brickability in March 2018.

David Simpson, an Accountant by profession, has significant experience in the housebuilding sector, having worked with luxury home developer, Millgate for over 17 years, including as Managing Director for nine years. He was appointed to the Executive Committee Board of Countryside Properties plc from 2014 to 2018, following its merger with Millgate.

David joined the Board of Brickability in July 2019 and is also the Chair of the Audit Committee.

Susan McErlain has had an executive career spanning 35 years, advising listed companies and other organisations across many sectors, most notably in the industrial sector. She founded, grew and sold Square Mile Communications Limited, a successful communications and investor relations business. More recently, Susan acted as a Corporate Affairs Director for FTSE 250 company Ultra Electronics plc until 2019.

Susan has been a non-executive director since 2020. She joined the board of AIM listed company Dewhurst Group plc in 2021 and is currently a member of both its Audit and Remuneration Committees.

Susan joined the Board of Brickability in May 2022.

Sharon Daly (nee Collins) has more than 20 years’ experience predominantly in marketing, international sales and business development roles within the Healthcare sector.

Having previously worked for a leading dental manufacturer for seven years, Sharon also spent five years within the International Business Development field with Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. Sharon qualified from Lancaster University in 1996 with a degree in Marketing and gained her MBA (with Distinction) in 2005. In 2010, Sharon co-founded the Venture Life Group; in 2014, the company floated on AIM, part of the London Stock Exchange. Retiring from them in August 2023, she was the Chief Commercial Officer and a Board Director. With effect from 1 January 2024, Sharon was appointed as an independent non-executive director of Warpaint London plc, an AIM company which sells branded cosmetics.

Sharon joined the Board of Brickability in September 2022 and is also the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Frank took up his position as chief executive officer of Brickability Group Plc in April 2024. He has over 34 years of experience in the brick industry.

Frank previously spent over 14 years at Michelmersh Brick Holdings Plc, of which he served as joint chief executive for 8 years. As joint CEO he oversaw the significant growth of the business through a series of strategic acquisitions.

Frank joined Freshfield Lane Brickworks (FLB) in 1991 before it was acquired by Michelmersh in 2010. He was appointed to the board of FLB in 1996 as Sales & Technical Director before becoming a shareholder in 2000. Before that, Frank was at Lesser D&B and Hanson Brick Ltd.

He is highly regarded in the brick industry, having previously chaired both the Brick Federation and the Promotional Working Party within the Brick Development Association. He has also served as a main board member of the Brick Development Association.

Mike is a Chartered Management Accountant with an MBA from Nottingham Business School who joined the Board in 2021. Prior to joining, he served as Group CFO at Walker Greenbank PLC. Mike is a highly experienced CFO and brings a breadth of financial, strategic and M&A experience to the Group from his previous roles at Bass plc, Marstons plc, Geest plc, Constellation Brands Inc, Britvic plc and Walker Greenbank plc.

Paul Hamilton has over 19 years’ experience in the heating and building supplier market. He joined the Towelrads business in 2004 and became a shareholder and Director in 2008. Paul has overseen the growth of the Towelrads business from sales of less than £1 million to over £25 million a year. He led a management buyout of the Towelrads business in 2016 and was a founder of DSH Flooring.

Beginning his career in the construction industry in 2011, Kenny has a wealth of experience in the sourcing, specification and supply of brick and masonry materials. Joining Taylor Maxwell as a Senior Sales Executive in 2016, Kenny has quickly progressed through to Regional Business Manager, Sales Director and more recently, Managing Director of Taylor Maxwell & Co Ltd in April of 2022. 

Starting as a Sales Trainee for the Taylor Maxwell Timber Division in 2003, Alex has been with the business for almost 20 years.

Having worked as Sales Executive, Regional Director and a Director and joining the Board in 2017, Alex has first-hand experience of all aspects of the business.

Based in Taylor Maxwell’s Stirling office, Alex is now Managing Director for Taylor Maxwell Timber, bringing with him many years of experience in the timber industry and an unrivalled knowledge of timber products.

Richard’s career in the construction industry began in 2006 working for a brick specialist Builders’ Merchant developing his skills and experience in both merchant and specification sales in brick, masonry products and cladding systems. 

In 2016 Richard joined specialist brick importer The Bespoke Brick Company as Sales Director, then latterly became Commercial Director. Post acquisition of The Bespoke Brick Company, Richard was endorsed to become Group Sales Director for the Brick Division in 2022 before being promoted to Managing Director in 2024.

Douglas Bryce has 24 years’ experience in Façade, Roofing and Renewable markets having joined the industry from high school in 2000. He first gained experience in Curtain Walling at Systems Aluminium Ltd, a subsidiary of Group Topek Holdings, before moving into its Roofing and Façade business Topek Ltd, later purchasing the Group from its founder in 2012.

During his 11 years of ownership, Topek became the market leader in its sector continuing to diversify successfully and create solutions for its clients. A specialist FM provider TEAM ltd was formed in 2017 and sold by Douglas in 2021, a renewable energy offering also by then was provided by the Group. In 2023 Group Topek Holdings was purchased by Brickability and Douglas is delighted to continue his custodianship as Managing Director.

Whilst his passion is building strong relationships and leading teams, he has a clear view of what is required to deliver consistent excellence, Douglas’ raison d’etre is to make sure that all areas of the Brickability group work in tune with each other to exceed the expectations of the target audience.