23.08.2024

Andy Pearson to retire

UK access rental veteran Andy Pearson is retiring after a career that involved a number of successful reincarnations, almost becoming a 'serial entrepreneur'.

Most recently he has worked with rental company Star Platforms where he has been South West regional director since the start of 2021. He was 59 this year.

He began his rental career in the mid-1980s with Chislett Tool Hire, moving to Stephens and Carter and Key Scaffold in 1993, where he worked in the aluminium tower division. Key Scaffold officially became A.M.P Access in 1995, with Pearson moving up through the ranks to become sales manager, followed by sales director in 1997 and finally managing director in 2005, when the scaffold business was set up as a separate business, leaving Pearson to focus on powered access.

He then played a crucial role in the successful sale of the company to Nationwide Access /Lavendon group in 2006.
He remained with the company as South West regional director until 2010, and during this time worked with Star Platforms’ managing director Richard Miller whose company Panther had also been acquired by Nationwide, the two business were then merged in 2008.

Shortly after leaving the Lavendon group, he set up a new company - Prolift Access- based in Somerset. Over the next seven years or so he built the business up from a startup fleet of 35 aerial work platforms to 770 units, before selling the company to Speedy Hire in November 2017.

Richard Miller said: “I first worked with Andy in 1998 when I started the Access Link and invited A.M.P to join as our South West member. Our collaboration continued through the sale of A.M.P and Panther to Lavendon. Andy’s contributions during the Link meetings and our visits to manufacturers were both valuable and enjoyable. His role as South West Director for Star Platforms was pivotal in locating premises and building our team, leading to the thriving success of our South West depot.”

“Recently, Andy has also overseen our training offering and developed a robust customer base. As he retires to enjoy his many hobbies (such as cycling, travelling and golfing) and to spend more time holidaying with his wife Alison, we extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for his retirement.”

Joint managing director Steve Simmons added: “Andy’s retirement marks the end of a notable era in the powered access industry. His legacy of leadership, growth, and dedication will be remembered fondly by colleagues, clients, and industry peers. We wish Andy all the best in his retirement and thank him for his outstanding service to the industry.”