Lawsons Group has strengthened its executive leadership team with the promotion of Ciaran Morton to Group Commercial Director and the appointment of Steve Wakeman as Group Operations & Logistics Director.
The changes are described as forming part of a broader evolution of the Group’s leadership structure, bringing commercial and operational functions closer together to “accelerate decision making, strengthen collaboration and deliver an even more consistent experience for customers across Lawsons’ 35 branches.”
As Group Commercial Director, Ciaran Morton (pictured) will lead the Group’s Category, Marketing and Ecommerce teams under a single commercial strategy, bringing product, marketing and digital together to create a more joined-up customer experience and strengthen the Group’s commercial strategy.
Steve Wakeman, meanwhile, joins the business as Group Operations & Logistics Director, a newly created role leading the Group’s Operational Excellence agenda. Bringing extensive experience across independent, national and private equity-owned builders’ merchants, Steve will oversee the Operations, Logistics, Safety and Transport functions, embedding best practice across the branch network to improve consistency, operational efficiency and customer service, while continuing to work alongside the specialist leadership of Dan Hearne and Joe Gillespie.
Together, the appointments are intended to create “a more integrated leadership structure, aligning commercial strategy more closely with operational delivery and enabling Lawsons to respond more quickly to changing customer needs.”
The changes follow a landmark year for Lawsons. Earlier this year, the business transferred 51% of its ownership into an independent ethical trust, reinforcing its commitment to long-term stewardship while safeguarding the company’s independence for future generations. Lawsons also remains the only UK builders’ merchant accredited with the Fair Tax Mark, reflecting its commitment to responsible business and creating lasting value for its employees, customers, suppliers and local communities.
CEO Allun Pittingale said: “Ciaran has made an outstanding contribution to Lawsons, and his expanded role reflects both the leadership he has shown and the ambition we have for our future. Steve joins us at an exciting time for the business, bringing a wealth of experience that will help us continue driving operational excellence and supporting our branches.
“These appointments are about building on Lawsons’ strengths while ensuring we’re well positioned for the future.”
Allun continued: “Our customers’ expectations are changing, and we need to evolve with them. By bringing together functions that naturally belong together, we’re creating a business that’s better equipped to deliver consistently excellent service, respond more quickly to change and support our branches for the long term.”
Both appointments take effect from 03 August 2026.
Established in 1921, the Lawsons Group lays claim to being the largest independent Timber, Building Materials & Fencing merchant in London and the South East, with branches located from Lincolnshire to the South Coast. The Group includes 19 Lawsons branches, 12 branches of AVS Fencing & Landscaping Supplies, in addition to Basingstoke Building Supplies, Briants of Risborough, The Landscape Centre, Oxford Fencing Supplies and Witham Timber.
