Global logistics and materials management specialist ASCO has appointed Paul Hunt as chief financial officer, alongside Robert Wagstaff as principal defence advisor.
Paul Hunt joins ASCO, bringing nearly two decades of financial leadership experience across the utilities, services and energy sectors in the UK and New Zealand.
His appointment follows a period of strong trading performance for ASCO, with the business continuing to grow through new contract wins and its ongoing international expansion.
Prior to joining ASCO, Paul held senior finance roles including chief financial officer at global maritime risk management business Ambrey and vice president, corporate finance at Inchcape Shipping Services. He brings strong expertise in financial strategy, corporate finance, governance and business performance, and will drive ASCO’s continued growth and long-term commercial resilience.
Mike Pettigrew, group chief executive officer at ASCO, said: “Paul’s appointment comes at an exciting point in our journey. His international experience, financial leadership and commercial insight will be invaluable as we continue to scale the business, invest in new opportunities and deliver lasting value for our customers and teams across the globe.”
Paul Hunt added: “ASCO’s growth and its ambition to diversify into new markets were what drew me to this role. I’m looking forward to working with the team to support the business’s continued growth and international expansion.”
Alongside Paul’s appointment, Robert Wagstaff has taken up the newly created role of principal defence advisor, supporting the company’s diversification strategy.
Robert spent almost three decades in the British Army, operating in high-pressure, safety-critical environments, before holding senior roles across infrastructure, supply chain and consultancy. He joins ASCO to lead the development of its defence offering.
Pettigrew added: “As global demand continues to evolve, we see significant opportunities in defence, where our expertise and operational capability position us strongly for the future. “The discipline and capability we have built over decades, from logistics and materials management to environmental services, lifting assurance and operational support, translate directly into this sector. Robert’s appointment demonstrates our ambition to build a dedicated, long-term defence practice, and his experience will be invaluable as we grow our presence in the industry.”