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Source: Ascona Group

Richards comes with extensive experience from the oil industry, having worked for Elf Oil, Total UK and Rontec

Ascona Group has hired Ian Richards as construction and infrastructure director. 

He started the newly created role last week, and is responsible for supporting the forecourt operator’s growth strategy of reaching 300 sites across the UK within five years.

Richards will oversee all matters of construction and infrastructure, as well as managing development projects across the portfolio.

This includes the completion of 12 knockdown-rebuilds over the next two years, and introducing electric vehicle charging points at selected service stations. He will report to CEO Darren Briggs.

Richards comes with an extensive career in the oil industry, having worked for Elf Oil, Total UK and Rontec.

He was responsible for managing large scale strategic rebuild and refurbishment projects, leading engineering teams, as well as managing and delivering multi-million pound investment projects.

He has also spent time as the custodian of network maintenance budgets for nationwide service stations.

“I am delighted to welcome Ian to Ascona. He brings a wealth of relevant experience from across our industry and the excellent management skills needed to deliver extensive building projects.” said Briggs.

“He joins at an exciting point in our journey as we progress the next stage of our growth strategy. I look forward to working with him as we build momentum in our ambition and take Ascona to 300 sites across the UK.”

Richards added: “I am very excited to be joining Ascona, a business I know well and have watched closely as it has grown into the nationwide business it is today. I am greatly looking forward to working with Darren and his team as they take Ascona and its unique customer offer to many more people across the country.”