
Jason Knights is Ground Control’s new MD – Ground Control
Ground Control, the nationwide provider of landscaping and maintenance services, has appointed Jason Knights as managing director. He takes over from Marcus Watson.
Knights was previously managing director of SES Engineering Services. The firm was acquired by the Wates Group in 2016 and Knights was part of the Wates Construction Board during the acquisition. He was a member of the Wates Construction Group Board until his departure last September.
After a “challenging” year, Ground Control said it “emerges from 2020 profitable and resilient”.
Simon Morrish, Ground Control’s CEO, said: “Since joining in 2011, Marcus has led us through a period of significant growth and change. His leadership has overseen continued phenomenal growth, as well as significant diversification and de-risking of our core capabilities.”
Knights added: “Going forward we will continue to heavily invest in our people and innovation whilst following a clear and simple plan to achieve growth and a business returning long-term shareholder value. ”
Ground Control provides a commercial landscaping service that includes grounds maintenance, winter maintenance, tree works and vegetation management and soft and hard landscape construction. The company services 50,000 private and public sector sites, employing 1,000 people and supplying work to at least 5,000 contractors.
Watson’s tenure with the Billericay-based company saw it win a range of awards including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2016. He will continue to be a shareholder and non-executive director.