Speedy appoints new chief executive

Speedy has promoted Mark Rogerson, its recently appointed chief operating officer, as chief executive. He replaces Steve Corcoran who made the decision to resign following the revelation of accounting regularities at Speedy’s Middle East business late last year.

Mr Rogerson, MBE, who takes up his post today, has been with Speedy for almost two months, joining on 2 December as COO. Mr Corcoran had remained in his post while Speedy recruited a new CEO and he leaves the group with effect from today.

At Costain Mr Rogerson was on the board as managing director of the natural resources division, responsible for Costain’s work in sectors including nuclear, oil and gas, and water and waste.

He spent eight years with Serco, the £5 billion services company that manages assets including infrastructure, and before that he spent 21 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), becoming wing commander.

Speedy’s chairman, Ishbel Macpherson, said; “The Board and I are delighted that someone of Mark's calibre and drive has taken up the challenge to lead Speedy at this exciting point in its development. We look forward to working with him.”

She paid tribute to Mr Corcoran for his contribution to Speedy over 25 years; “Steve has been at the forefront in the transformation of Speedy and I would like to personally thank him for his commitment and leadership and wish him well in his future career."

Mark Rogerson said; “I am very excited to have been offered the opportunity to lead Speedy at a time when our nation's economy and growth are recovering. Speedy's breadth of assets, depth of capabilities and the passion of our people will enable us to differentiate our service offering, and I very much look forward to working with our customers to ensure we deliver exceptional outcomes for them."

Speedy’s investigations into the accounting problems in the Middle East are ongoing, with Deloitte appointed as forensic accountants. Although deciding to resign as CEO, Mr Corcoran is not personally implicated in the accounting irregularities.