Graeme Macdonald to become JCB CEO

Graeme Macdonald is to take the reins as CEO of construction equipment manufacturer JCB at the end of this year, when current CEO Alan Blake retires.

Mr Macdonald was previously COO of JCB and became CEO designate on 1 June. During his 16 years at the company, he was also managing director of the backhoe loader business and president of JCB Inc – the manufacturer’s North America base in Georgia, US.

JCB said Mr Blake, who joined JCB in 1989 and became CEO in 2010, had overseen the biggest production expansion in the company’s history.

“Since his appointment as CEO, Alan has presided over the company’s return to sales and production growth against a backdrop of continued economic uncertainty around the world,” JCB said.

Mr Blake will remain as a senior advisor and board member of JCB.