AFI appoints finance director

UK access specialist rental company AFI has appointed Richard Orme as its new finance director to oversee UK and Middle East operations.

Orme’s promotion comes after Steve Woodhams, AFI’s longstanding Group CFO, has decided to leave the business after ten years to pursue an opportunity away from the rental sector. With Orme tepping up to hiw new role, the company’s Kat Berry has also been promoted to the role of group financial controller.

Richard Orme, finance director, AFI

Orme moved over to AFI Group as part of its acquisition of UK renter Kimberly Access in 2017, where he assisted the Kimberly board with the successful sale to AFI. He previously held the role of group financial controller, where he supported AFI’s acquisition and subsequent business integrations of Facelift and MBS. 

David McNicholas, CEO at AFI, said, “During his time with AFI, Steve Woodhams has developed a strong finance team, and Richard has been an asset to that team since the Kimberly acquisition in 2017. Richard has built a solid relationship with the management team and has been pivotal in guiding successful acquisitions. Steve leaving creates an opportunity for Richard and we are confident Richard will continue the team’s excellent work in his new role as financial director.”

McNicholas added that the pair of promotions represented a recognition of the strength of the team in the UK. “Kat has been an integral member of the AFI finance team for over seven years and epitomises the AFI ethos. She is a team player who is always friendly, helpful and professional.”

Orme concluded, “I am genuinely delighted to step up into the role of finance director with AFI. I’ve worked closely with the board and management team over the last five years to drive recent successful acquisitions and business integrations, including Facelift in 2019 and, more recently, MBS/Spiderlift last year. “