Ambitious growth plans and high profile clients wins have sparked changes at the top at signage giant Hollywood Monster, as Simon McKenzie takes up the role as Managing Director.
This comes following the signage experts’ recent announcements, which include a new London office and a multimillion-pound contract with McDonald’s.
After 16 years at the company, which is headquartered in Birmingham, Simon McKenzie has been promoted to Managing Director to drive forward the organisation’s on-going expansion. Speaking about his appointment, Simon said: “The past three years have seen big growth for Hollywood Monster, with the business boasting £7 million turnover and employing over 75 people. We have continued adding to our client base, with work across the UK and Europe, proving that we’re a major player in the signage market. Added to this, we’ve invested heavily in our technology, with over £1 million new equipment, as well as developed our factory facility to allow us to cope with customer demand.
“I am proud of what the sales team has delivered – and continues to deliver – but moving into this new role gives me and the business time to consolidate our processes and focus on delivering the best possible service to new and existing customers. We’re also investing in a new customer experience team to further improve our clients’ working relationship with the business and, added to that, we’ve got a number of high profile appointments to make across our commercial and sales teams over the next 12 months. It’s a big challenge but we’re in the best place to continue driving innovation in the industry and expanding our footprint, whilst also ensuring our clients get a personal, hands on service.”
Simon takes over the role of Managing Director from Tim Andrews, one of the Midlands’ most high profile entrepreneurs. Having recently won West Midlands Director of the Year at the annual IoD Director of the Year Awards, Tim Andrews has decided to hand over the Hollywood Monster baton and concentrate on a number of growing projects.
“Having set up Hollywood Monster with my Dad, in our loft, back in 1991 the business will always be close to my heart. In the past 25 years we have moved to our 30,000 sq ft headquarters and now boast a headcount over 70 people. It has been a fantastic ride but we’ve got some really ambitious growth plans over the next five years so I think it’s only right to hand it over to someone new to continue building on our successes. After 16 years with the business, I’m confident that Simon the right man for the job – and it’s great for me to know the business is in the hands of someone just as passionate and dedicated as I am,” Andrews commented.
“In the past few years, my commitments outside of Hollywood Monster have grown and I will now be in a position to drive forward LoveBrum, the charity I co-founded in 2014 to support the people, projects and causes helping to make Birmingham an even better place to live, as well as a new corporate boat charter service – Le Creux. I won’t be going too far but am very excited to see Hollywood Monster continue to grow under Simon’s guidance,” he continued.
Simon McKenzie’s appointment follows a number of expansion announcements from the graphics giant, including the recent recruitment of Kerry Price as Sales Customer Relationship Manager and a new office base launched in London. This comes in addition to a new contract win for Hollywood Monster, which is now one of the primary contractors for graphics, as part of a multimillion pound deal that will see over 1,000 McDonald’s UK restaurants undergo refurbishment. As well as on going contracts with retail and property giants Westfield and Prologis, and event and exhibition venues ExCel London and the NEC Group.
