Bailie Group bolsters strategic growth plan with NED appointment

Leeds-headquartered Bailie Group, a family-owned communications specialist, has announced the appointment of non-executive director, Frank Hayden, as the company strives to accelerate its business growth and resilience plans, with an ambition to reach £80m turnover by 2024.

With an illustrious CV, working on many critical projects Frank led the strategic and operational transformation of several high-technology businesses including Land Rover, BMW, Airbus, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. He played a leading role in the launch of the BMW Mini, Airbus A380, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Rolls-Royce engines for the Boeing 787 & Airbus A350.

Now working as a consultant and non-executive director, he has served more than 300 client leadership teams — across a wide range of industries — all over the world. In recent years, Frank was called upon to support the UK Cabinet Office, leading the work to accelerate the scale up of Covid-19 rapid test devices as well as a consultant with McKinsey & Company.

On joining Bailie Group as a non-executive director, Frank comments: “Bailie Group has an enviable reputation with its customers for innovation, service delivery and added value. I look forward to helping the board of directors to continue to grow our competitive advantages and customer offering. I will bring valuable strategy and governance guidance, alongside customer insight, having previously worked with Bailie Group customers”.

Elaborating on the impact Frank’s appointment will have on the business, CEO, Fergus Bailie, shares: “We have ambitious growth plans for every company in the Bailie Group and we wanted an experienced individual to help us achieve the ambitious targets we have set ourselves. I’m delighted to have found someone with Frank’s expertise which complements every area of the Group.

“We have a purpose to invest in people and ideas that make a positive difference and Frank’s background epitomises this. His experience working across multiple sectors — and as a customer of our services — will help to provide a fresh perspective. Frank’s input has already been valuable, and he is bringing new ideas and an infectious enthusiasm to our meetings.”

With a mission to improve people’s lives through the sharing of knowledge, Bailie Group — a 160-year-old, family-owned business — incorporates a portfolio of six communications agencies and consultancies throughout the UK.