Seventh generation takes helm at J H Shouksmith and Sons

He was proud of his status as as a Freeman of the city, and he hoped the company would provide a steady income for him and his family. Nobody could have anticipated the company’s staying power. It is still controlled by the Shouksmith family, and yesterday the torch was passed to the seventh generation when brothers David and Edward Shouksmith were appointed as managing director and commercial manager respectively. David and Edward are the sons of company chairman Richard Shouksmith. David will replace John Miller, who has been MD since 2002 and is soon to retire. Mr Miller will continue as a director of J H Shouksmiths and Son until the end of this year, and will then act as a consultant until the end of 2016.

Richard Shouksmith, the chairman of J H Shouksmith and Sons, said: “These are very exciting times for Shouksmiths and I am delighted that David and Edward have been appointed to these roles. They have already gathered a substantial amount of experience in the construction industry, and are fully aware of both the opportunities and the challenges it brings. I wish them both great success and look forward to working with them in the future. I would also like to express my thanks to John Miller, who has given us such an enormous amount during his long service with us.”

David Shouksmith said he was thrilled to become MD and “to be leading a team of very talented and committed people”.

He added: “We have had a difficult few years in the construction industry but we have reshaped our business to adapt to the sector’s changing needs and we are now in a very strong position to move forward. I am also delighted to have Edward on the team and am sure that he will make a valuable contribution to the future development of the company. Retaining the experience of John Miller as a consultant in the first couple of years will also be a great asset.”

With offices in York, Sheffield and Leeds, Shouksmiths has a turnover of around £11.5m and employs around 80 staff. It provides plumbing, heating, electrical and specialist contract services for a range of residential projects, along with industrial and commercial installations. Its current projects include work on a medical centre in Chester, and, in the past, it has carried out refurbishment work at the National Railway Museum in York, and York Minster.