Commercial property specialist Space Solutions has cemented its strong growth in 2011 with the appointment of a wave of new senior management staff across its operations in Scotland.

The company has embarked on the latest stage of its ambitious business strategy, which has seen it increase annual turnover from £9 million to more than £20 million over the past five years, by recruiting new senior managers across the finance, marketing and operations departments in all of its offices throughout Scotland.

The appointments come after the company, which provides innovative design and workplace solutions to firms ranging from SMEs to major blue chip companies across Scotland, achieved significant growth in 2011.

As part of Space Solutions’ continued expansion, the firm has also been recognised as a “growth account” by Scottish Enterprise. The recognition is the result of the company’s specialist range of workplace services and ability to provide clients a genuine single sourced solution, which was highlighted as a core factor in Space Solutions growth in the challenging property sector.

The new appointments also come after Space Solutions secured Malcolm McPherson - who is recognised within the Scottish market as one of the leading specialists in corporate affairs, advising companies at a strategic level and seeking deal making opportunities across the business world - as its first non executive Chairman to propel the firm’s development strategy.

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Among the new management staff is Finance Director Martin Orr, who brings more than 20 years experience in the commercial property sector to the firm following senior financial positions at companies including FM Developments, Kilmartin Property Group and GHP Real Estate. Martin will be based at Space Solutions’ head office in Aberdeen and will be responsible for managing the financial direction of the firm’s strategy to increase turnover by 150% in the next five years.

Space Solutions managing director Steve Judge said: “The economic climate is proving difficult for many firms in the sector. However, despite these challenges, our business strategy and the hard work of our excellent staff has ensured that we have continued to grow and have now achieved £20 million annual turnover for the first time.

“We’re also delighted to have been highlighted as a ‘growth account’ by Scottish Enterprise, which has been very supportive in helping develop a strategic and operation plan to maximise the potential for our business. The expertise that they are able to introduce will no doubt assist greatly in our ambitious plans for growth in the future.

“We are very pleased with our recent performance, which is a testament to our superb workforce and their dedication in ensuring total excellence in client relationships. We are now planning at build on this success and achieve more growth over the next five years, and the new appointments on our management team will help us achieve this.

“It is a real coup to bring Martin as our new finance director. He has a wealth of experience in senior financial management positions in the UK and overseas, so we look forward to working with him as he helps support our business and expansion strategy.

“We hope that Martin and our other new appointments will be instrumental in helping us grow our influence across the UK and further in the coming years.”

Other new arrivals include Marketing Manager Elaine Cowan, who previously managed the marketing for a major European property company, and former Strathvale Holdings managing director Martin Dempsey, who joins as Business Development Manager and will lead the company’s strategy in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

The firm has also appointed Iain Morris, a former commercial manager with Sharkey and who has 20 years experience of fit out and refurbishment in the office, retail and commercial sector, to lead its quantity surveying and contracts division in Edinburgh.

Space Solutions is Scotland’s biggest independent expert in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace. It operates UK-wide – from bases in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Livingston – to design, build, fit out, refurbish and relocate modern and productive business environments.

(GK)