Clements takes helm at Trafalgar House

ALAN Clements yesterday took over at the helm of Trafalgar House and welcomed Hongkong Land as a 'strong and supportive shareholder', adding: 'We look forward to developing a constructive relationship'.

The comments came as the group confirmed that Sir Nigel Broackes was standing aside as chairman to become honorary president. Sir Eric Parker is giving up his chief executive's role, although he will stay as deputy chairman until next June. Mr Clements becomes chairman, while Allan Gormly, head of the engineering division, becomes chief executive.

Rodney Leach, a director of Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson - which owns 15 per cent of Trafalgar - becomes a non-executive director, along with Sir Archibald Forster, chairman and chief executive of Esso. Another two will be appointed later.

Mr Gormly said the changes marked 'a new chapter in Trafalgar's history' and said the support of a powerful shareholder would help the group achieve the 'significant growth potential' in engineering and contracting.