EA-RS Welcomes Gareth Kirkwood as New Group Chief Executive Officer
EA-RS is pleased to announce the appointment of Gareth Kirkwood as its new Group Chief Executive Officer. Gareth will join EA-RS on Monday 17th August, following Mark Wheeler’s decision to step down as Group CEO after two and a half years in the role and 14 years with the business.
Gareth joins EA-RS at an exciting stage in the company’s journey as the business continues to grow, strengthen its nationwide presence and support customers with fully integrated fire safety, security and compliance solutions.
Gareth brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience across aviation, transport, business services and private equity-backed organisations. Most recently, he was Chief Executive Officer of Nurture Group, the UK’s largest green services business, where he led the organisation through a period of continued growth.
Throughout his career, Gareth has built an impressive track record leading complex organisations through periods of growth, transformation and change. His experience includes Chief Operating Officer roles within two private equity-backed buy-and-build businesses, leading operational integration across Europe for a division of Expedia, and serving as Managing Director of The AA’s Roadside Services division through its transition from public to private ownership in 2021. Earlier in his career, Gareth spent 22 years with British Airways, progressing into senior leadership roles including Managing Director of BA’s regional airline, Managing Director of BA World Cargo and Director of Operations, overseeing operations across the airline worldwide.
Commenting on the appointment, Alan Wheal, Founder and President of EA-RS, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Gareth to EA-RS. He brings a wealth of experience in leading complex organisations, improving operational performance and successfully integrating businesses. As we continue to grow and evolve, I’m confident Gareth is the right person to help us achieve our ambitions for the future.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for everything he has done over the past 14 years. Mark has been a pillar of strength for us as we have built the business through 12 acquisitions towards achieving our first milestone of £100m in revenue and 500 colleagues. He has played a significant part in the growth of EA-RS and has been a trusted colleague, a strong leader and someone who has always been committed to doing the right thing for our people, our customers and the business. I want to personally thank him for his contribution and wish him every success for the future.”
Speaking about his appointment, Gareth Kirkwood said:
“I’m delighted to be joining EA-RS as Group CEO at such an exciting stage in the company’s growth journey. The business has achieved a huge amount in a relatively short period of time, building an impressive reputation for technical expertise, customer service and its ability to bring together specialist businesses to create a truly integrated offering.
“What attracted me to EA-RS was the ambition, the strength of its people and the opportunity ahead. My career has focused on leading organisations through periods of growth, transformation and change, and I look forward to bringing that experience to EA-RS as we continue to evolve, strengthen our capabilities and deliver even greater value for our customers.”
Mark and Gareth will work closely together throughout August to ensure a smooth handover and continuity for colleagues, customers and partners before Mark leaves the business.
With Gareth set to lead the business, EA-RS will continue to build on its strong foundations, investing in its people, strengthening its specialist capabilities and delivering leading fire safety, security and compliance solutions across the UK. Through its integrated approach and nationwide network of experts, EA-RS supports customers in managing risk, meeting compliance requirements and creating safer environments where people live, work and play.
As EA-RS continues to grow as one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated fire, security and safety solutions, we’re pleased to announce the latest investment in our national engineering fleet.
Throughout 2026, colleagues from across the EA-RS Group have been raising money and raising awareness through a series of fundraising events. In great news, EA-RS has now raised over £8,815 for Alzheimer’s Society so
EA-RS is pleased to announce the appointment of Gareth Kirkwood as its new Group Chief Executive Officer. Gareth will join EA-RS on Monday 17th August, following Mark Wheeler’s decision to step down as Group
