Yorkshire based Strategic Team Group, announces the appointment of Stuart Black as its non executive chairman. The appointment marks the next stage in the company’s development into a broad based support services organisation focusing on the public sector.

Stuart Black, 44 years, is a qualified quantity surveyor and member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has spent the principal part of his career in the support services sector, spending 14 years in various positions with Bucknall Group plc, then going on to play a crucial part in the creation of Citex Group Ltd, by acquiring Bucknall Group plc through a private equity backed management buyout. More recently, Stuart has spent 3 years as chief executive officer for Mears Group plc, where he saw turnover reach £300 million and profit before tax hit £15 million. Prior to this he held the post of group business development director of Mouchel Parkman plc. Currently Stuart is also chairman of Lakehouse Group.

With a wealth of knowledge acquired running businesses with turnover in excess of £300 million, Stuart will also bring significant experience of growing businesses through acquisition. Together with his understanding of the support services sector, Stuart’s skills and contacts will be of great value to the future development of Strategic Team Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Stuart Black, Strategic Team Group’s non executive chairman said: ldquo;I am delighted to be joining the group at such an exciting time in its development. The company has a terrific management team who have created an exceptional business, hopefully my experience of larger organisations will prove valuable as we continue to build on the growth and results that have been achieved to date.

Strategic Team Group’s managing director, Andrew Watson added: “We’re delighted that Stuart is joining the board and are confident that he will play a crucial role in the growth of the business. His extensive experience in the commercial world will be invaluable to the business at this important stage in its development.”

Stuart’s appointment follows a shareholder reconstruction of the business in a deal worth over £11 million funded by Barclays Ventures in March 2008, which released additional resources for organic growth and acquisitions. Furthermore, the company revealed a record set of results with a 52 per cent increase on revenue to £27 million and net operating profit before tax across the group increased by 50 per cent to £2 million for the year to the 31st March 2008.