Founder of firefighting vehicle firm named MD at emergency vehicle manufacturer

Goole-based O&H Vehicle Conversions, a manufacturer of emergency vehicles, has appointed an experienced industry name as its new managing director to drive major company growth.

Oliver North – founder and former managing director of firefighting vehicle specialist, Rosenbauer UK – has also taken a shareholding in O&H to solidify the long-term strategy of the company. The new MD has immediately set his sights on driving home-grown innovation and production.

North –who announced just this month that he was taking a step back from Rosenbauer UK to concentrate on other opportunities – has been drafted in by private equity firm Endless LLP. The private equity organisation acquired the manufacturing firm in 2016 to drive the company forward and attract key contracts; within the UK and across export markets.

Endless’ Investment Director, Matthew Jubb, commented on Oliver’s appointment: “We are delighted to have appointed Oliver as the new managing director of O&H. The depth of his experience and relationships within the emergency services sector are truly outstanding, and our ability to attract him to O&H reflects our ambitions for the business in the coming months and years.”

North said: “After taking a long, hard look at the organisation, I’m thrilled to have joined O&H – particularly after falling in love with the quality, capability and further potential of the shop floor.

“O&H has been a pillar of British emergency services vehicle manufacturing for over thirty years. Nevertheless, I still look at them very much as the sleeping giant of the industry. Not only have they furnished the UK’s Ambulance Service with what I feel is unrivalled build quality, the company has also established key accounts in the wider emergency services sector as well as the patient transport, mobility and welfare markets.

“As we approach an unknown political landscape, it is clear we should be driving production, innovation and trade skill sets within UK. O&H has a world-class workforce who can be utilised, globally, much more than what they are currently. Coming into the firm as a shareholder also symbolises my long-term intention in leading the organisation towards a successful era.”

Talking of Endless LLP, he added: “The company’s owners are one of the most dynamic I have experienced to-date and it is fair to say they are intent on increasing O&H’s sustainability and technological offering to and beyond the existing customer base. The Chairman – David Grey MBE – and my new co-directors are of the highest calibre and professional acumen.

“In Lehman’s terms, we will drive the company forwards effectively whilst safeguarding – and hopefully growing – employment in the region.”

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