A global structural steel firm based in Dorset has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of a new director.

Experienced industry professional Byron Yates has joined John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) of Christchurch as contracts director.

He brings a 30-years plus track record in turnkey structural steel and construction projects in the UK and South Africa, both for his own firm and main contractors.

Byron joins REIDsteel as the company continues to grow worldwide in the design, manufacture and supply of myriad steel structures from bridges to aircraft hangars and hurricane resistant buildings.

Simon Boyd, REIDsteel managing director, pictured left, said: “Byron is an exceptional professional who brings invaluable expertise and experience to REIDsteel.

“He possesses outstanding communication, interpersonal and leadership skills along with a laser sharp focus on efficiency and productivity gains for the benefit of our customers and our business.

“Byron’s collaborative ethos and drive for excellence fits perfectly with our own company values which place integrity in all we do, trust in our team and delivery of the greatest outcomes for our customers at the heart of our business.

“Congratulations to Byron on joining the board. I am sure he will make a major contribution to the future success of REIDsteel.”

Byron leads a team of project managers at REIDsteel and encourages inter-discipline collaboration between different departments.

His responsibilities also include management of contracts across all projects, contractual compliance, risk management, dispute resolution and operation monitoring.

Byron, who is a Prince 2 project management practitioner and holds a NVQ Level 7 Diploma in Construction Senior Management, has run his own structural steel company delivering a similar service to REIDsteel from brief to project handover.

He has worked on projects in numerous sectors, including defence, education, residential development, government, commercial and retail.

Byron, who lives in Christchurch, said: “I was attracted to REIDsteel by its company values.

“It has a culture and ethos that creates an environment which enables employees to fulfil their potential while providing all of the support they need.

“Collaborative working between disciplines creates a trusting environment which achieves the best possible results for our customers as well as for our business and its people.”

REIDsteel employs around 130 people and designs, engineers, manufactures and builds all kinds of steel structures including cladding, glazing, doors and roofing.

Founded in 1919, it has exported to more than 140 countries to date.

• www.reidsteel.com