Leading asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services, has announced the appointment of a new Commercial Manager.

Ben James, who has joined the Northampton-based team with almost a decade of experience in the asbestos industry, will head up Acorn’s sales team, support existing key accounts and help the company secure new commercial work.

His role sees him overseeing new enquiries, working on larger and more complex projects and tenders, carrying out site visits and providing technical advice to clients, as well as managing a number of Acorn’s major customer accounts.

Ben began his working life as an apprentice carpenter and joiner before moving into the asbestos industry in his early twenties, following the death of his grandfather from asbestosis. He spent the next nine years building his career within the industry, beginning as a trainee asbestos surveyor and working his way up to a Contract Manager. He is also qualified to deliver asbestos awareness, non-licensed removal and duty-to-manage training and has a Level 3 teaching qualification.

Ben said: “The opportunity is huge. Acorn already works with an incredible range of commercial clients and my role is all about building on that, developing those relationships further and bringing new clients into the business.

“My background means I can bring both the commercial and technical sides together. I understand what our surveyors need to do to deliver a job and what the client needs from us.”

He added: “After nine years with one company, leaving was a big decision. It would have been very easy to stay somewhere familiar and comfortable, but from the day I walked into Acorn it was evident I’d made the right choice.

“What really stood out to me was how progressive the business is. The systems and tools are designed to make our jobs easier and, ultimately, allow us to give clients the fast and responsive service they need.

“Asbestos is often something people don’t think about until there is an urgent issue, so clients don’t want to wait a week for someone to come back to them. Acorn has put systems in place that enable us to respond quickly, and that makes a huge difference.”

Sam Savage, Managing Director of Acorn Analytical Services, said: “Ben brings a fantastic combination of hands-on industry experience, technical knowledge and commercial understanding to Acorn.

“He knows the challenges our clients face because he has spent years working on sites, managing projects and delivering training himself. That experience is incredibly valuable as we continue to grow our commercial team and develop long-term relationships with clients.

“Ben has already made a real impact and we’re delighted to have him as part of the team.”

Acorn Analytical Services is a UKAS-accredited asbestos consultancy

providing asbestos surveying, testing, air monitoring, project management and training services to clients across the UK. For more information, visit http://www.acorn-as.com.