Gerald Priestman is handing over the reins of the Hull-based memorial wholesalers and masons Odlings to 33-year-old Duncan Reynolds of Odlings’ parent company, Bridgewaters.
Duncan, who is a grandson of the founder of the diverse Bridgewaters Group and son of the current chairman, starts working with Gerald this month (September) prior to taking over as Managing Director next year.
With a degree in chemistry and a business background in pharmaceuticals and lately Essex Flameproofing, another Bridgewater company, Duncan says he is looking forward both to learning about the stone indstry and moving to Hull from Kent.
He will take over as MD in March next year, but Gerald will remain in an advisory capacity until September. Duncan says the year with Gerald “is not going to teach me everything, but it will teach me a lot of what I need to know”.
Gerald started working at Odlings as an office junior when he was 17 and became MD in 1998. He is now into his 50th year with the company. He enjoys racing classic motorbikes and intends to spend more time on his hobby after his retirement.
Duncan says: “I’m very much looking forward to the change in my life, moving north and coming to Odlings. I think Odlings have some fantastic products.”