Leading Ayrshire construction firm Ashleigh Building say the foundations are in place for continued success as they make change at the top.
David Smith has announced his intention to step down from the business in April 2026, and in doing so hands the reins to long-serving commercial boss Euan Clark, who now becomes managing director as part of a structured succession plan.
Smith, 53, will act as chairman at the successful Prestwick-based firm during his final year, with John McLeish widening his role from Surveying Director to Commercial Director.
Smith and Clark have served together at Ashleigh since 2003, with their career paths stretching back even further to a stint together at Barr Construction in the early 90s.
That level of trust, they say, has been vital in more than a decade of preparation for the day Smith – who is also chairman of Ayr United Football Club – would step back from the company he has served for a quarter of a century.
Smith said: “When I wrote my succession plan 13 years ago, Euan’s name was on it with this date in mind. It has always been the clear vision and it’s been good to have that focus.
“I’m leaving at quite a young age and the beauty is that had I stayed on longer, Euan could probably have left to go and pursue other things. “He now gets that chance to lead here – and he deserves it. He could have done this job years ago in all honesty and he’s more than earned the right to lead the business.”
Clark, the current president of the Scottish Building Federation, steps into the role boasting more than 20 years of experience at Ashleigh – a firm that last year broke £1 billion of turnover since its inception and is on course to deliver another £75 million of turnover this year.
Smith said: “The continuity that we have has always been one of our main strengths. There’s a like-minded ethos about the business and people who just want to do things the right way in giving back to the local community.
“Discipline is something we are built on and that will be important moving forward. We’ve never as a board gone to a vote on anything here – we’ll throw stuff around but at the end of the discussion it’s always a united thing.
“There’s a great culture that we move forward together and the right people are in the building. The business has never been in as good a position as it is now.”
Clark, 51, takes on the leadership of a firm which directly employs around 150 and is responsible for some landmark projects in Ayrshire and beyond. He insists his familiarity out in the field will ensure a smooth transition at the top, adding: “Davie has desire and ambition to go and do other stuff and that’s exciting for him.
“He has set us up with an unbelievable company to take forward. I’ve known this day was coming but it’s been a case of going about my business as normal. The people we do business with, whether it be the supply chain or clients, have had a direct line to me for a long time anyway.
“In that regard, it should be pretty seamless. The marketplace is strong and all the signs are that it’s trending in the right direction. Where we are in terms of our finances and stability is second to none – and the asset we have in our team and staff is tremendous.
“There isn’t a turnover there and that signifies we’re doing something right. Nothing is broken so there’s no point in tinkering. It will be business as usual because it is a very successful one at that.”