Smart Solutions, the Newport-based managed service provider, has appointed a new chief operating officer to help the company hit its target of reaching £100 million turnover in the next five years.
David Callaghan, 46, has been appointed to one of Wales’s fastest growing companies to help deliver its ambitious growth strategy by ensuring that all aspects of the business, including business development, marketing, operational delivery, finance, IT, HR, risk and compliance, operate as efficiently as possible.
Mr Callaghan joins Smart Solution’s executive team following many years of working in the recruitment, outsourcing and managed service sectors at either managing director or chief executive positions.
A chartered accountant by profession, Mr Callaghan started his career working with market leader, KPMG before joining IBM in a sales and marketing role. He went on to lead large corporates including Reed, Resource Solutions and Williams Lea as well as more entrepreneurial businesses such as Hazell Carr, where he helped to sell the business to Xafinity.
Speaking about his appointment, David Callaghan, said: “Smart Solutions is a company with a bright future that’s going places and I’m excited to be involved right in the thick of it all.
“The Smart team have built up an incredible business from a standing start to one that is expected to turnover £53 million annually in just six years, and it has no intention of stopping there. We’re confident that we can grow even further and consolidate our reputation in being world-class in what we deliver, using our deep-rooted industry knowledge to add real value to the businesses we partner with.
“The company reminds me of the best elements of the different businesses that I have been fortunate to lead in the past; it is dedicated, intelligent, has a no-nonsense yet entrepreneurial approach to business combined with a strong, collective team spirit.
“I’m keen to draw on my previous experience, which echo closely my role here at Smart, and play a crucial role in helping the business achieve its exciting growth plans.”
Smart Solutions established in 2007 and has become one of Wales’ most successful emerging brands, receiving a Welsh “FAST GROWTH 50” award four times, the only business in Wales to do so.
The business started by specialising in recruitment, especially in the waste sector, but has since expanded to offer a range of managed services to clients across a broad range of sectors including personal development and training and waste management and commodities trading.
Nathan Bowles, chief executive of Smart Solutions, said: “In order to sustain and build on Smart’s impressive growth over the last six years, I need a trusted team around me who can help drive the business forward.
“David comes with an excellent track record of helping to propel businesses to achieve the best that they can and I’m confident that he will make a tangible impact here at Smart.
“We have bold plans for the future that include growing our employees significantly and aiming to more than double our turnover in the next five years. We also plan to continue our dominance of the waste and recycling managed services sector, while simultaneously further expanding our presence in manufacturing, construction, food and drink, automotive and other industrial sectors.
“These are ambitious targets, and we need to surround ourselves with ambitious people, like David, to help us achieve them.”