David J. Birkbeck has released the following statement regarding changes of the Leadership at GBA.

‘I am really pleased to share with you an exciting change to the leadership within GBA. Firstly, I will be stepping down as Managing Director and changing my role to that of Executive Chairman. This will allow me to focus on the company’s vision, strategic direction and further strengthening of our values.

It makes me proud to announce my great friend and colleague Peter Zak will be taking the reins as Managing Director of GBA. Peter has a long pedigree of leadership and has had senior roles with blue-chip companies throughout his career. He will be leading the GBA Senior Management team, taking responsibility for all the departments, divisions and companies. Please join me in congratulating Peter as he leads the company into a new era.

Peter has had a long and varied career. After gaining a degree in Accounting he worked in the Aerospace, Automotive and Pharmaceutical sectors. Nine years at Toyota Manufacturing taught him the benefits of process control and continuous improvement. His positions of Finance Director and Operations Director at Leyland Trucks gave him exposure to managing a wide variety of teams across the organisation. He has also benefited from overseas experience and cultural immersion, having worked in Belgium, the USA and lived for four years in France. Peter finished his professional education at Cranfield School of Management successfully completing the Cranfield General Management Program.’

David J. Birkbeck, Executive Chairman

‘I am proud to be asked to be the Managing Director of GBA. During my career I have worked for some huge companies in the UK, Europe and also the USA, but I can honestly say that my almost eight years at GBA have been the most challenging (in a good way), rewarding and exciting of my life. I am grateful to the entire Birkbeck family for making me feel so welcome from day one.

It is my strong intention to continue with the culture and values that have served us so well in the past. Although leaders may change and reporting lines move around in an organisation, in my opinion the most important thing we can do is to live out our vales every day, and to give all our employees the opportunity to contribute in the best way they can.’

Peter Zak, Managing Director