Patton chairman stands down after more than 60 years

Mr Patton, now in his 79th year, said today he was ‘delighted’ to have seen the family-owned business reach its hundredth year and felt it was now time he ‘stepped aside’ from the demanding full-time role to make way for fresh ideas. Mr Patton confirmed he would be continuing in a part-time consultancy role.

He will be succeeded as Chairman by Neil Patton, with Eamonn Drayne taking up the reins as Managing Director from September this year.

Neil Patton paid tribute to David who, he said, had led the company in an ‘exemplary manner’, overseeing it to now being one of the largest construction firms in Ireland.

“As a business we are indebted to David for his unstinting dedication and leadership during what has been by any standards an outstanding career. His energy, vision and all-round experience have made a massive contribution to the company’s growth and development and we are delighted that, while he will be stepping back from his 8am to 6pm five day week, he will continue to be available to the Board as an advisor and will still be a regular visitor to our various sites.”

Neil Patton also congratulated incoming Managing Director, Eamonn Drayne, who will step up from the role of Finance Director.

“Eamonn is widely respected throughout the business and possesses all the qualities and experience necessary to take Patton forward. With Eamonn at the helm on a day to day basis, we know, as shareholders, Patton is in very safe hands.”

Eamonn Drayne started in Patton in June 2002 as Finance Director. He is a Graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and holds an MBA from Queen’s. Prior to joining Patton he held positions with KPMG, W & R Barnett and Ulster Weavers. He is also a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Neil Patton said Mr Drayne’s appointment was part of a ‘planned and measured’ succession planning process.

“As a large business it is important we play to the strengths of our senior team and Eamonn’s promotion is evidence of that.”

Eamonn Drayne said he was ‘proud and delighted’ to have been chosen as the new Managing Director and said the company would be working through a handover phase from May to September.

“This is a fabulous business with very able people and a track record for excellence in whatever it does. I am therefore very much looking forward to driving the organisation on, playing to all our strengths and pushing forward with the support of both David and Neil Patton, the Board and all the staff.”

Patton is a family owned business, established in 1912, which is headquartered in Ballymena and has offices in Milton Keynes and Maynooth. It employs around 320 people and has an annual turnover of £160 million.