Ian Winroth, Sector Director – New Build Residential

Ian took on the newly created role of Sector Director – New Build Residential at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions in July 2022. This key strategic post sees Ian tasked with harnessing the expertise of three principal brands – British Gypsum, Celotex and Isover – to form the Residential Sector team. His team will develop a deep understanding of changing customer needs as the market landscape evolves, translating this into innovative product, system and service solutions.

Ian’s role also encompasses cross-sector activity including the company’s approach to Modern Methods of Construction, and development of new services and external training offerings.

Of a total of 27 years spent within Saint-Gobain, Ian has spent 21 with British Gypsum. Setting out as Environmental Manager, he then took on responsibility for gypsum supplies, before moving into a succession of sales roles including Merchant Sales Manager, National Account Manager, Commercial Manager/ Head of National Accounts, and Divisional Sales Director (Central and South-West). This preceded a spell as Business Development Director, with Ian focusing on the development of demand generation agreements with clients, housebuilders and main contractors.

In 2017 Ian and his family moved to South Africa where he led the commercial team in the Gypsum business. This role saw him bring together the Gypsum and Insulation commercial teams, with Ian adopting a broader role covering sales, commercial finance, customer services and product management. He also spearheaded the creation of a Commercial Academy, supporting team skills and capability development, with the twin outcomes of enhanced customer support and personal development for team members.

Ian returned to the UK in late 2019 to become Managing Director of Scotframe, laying firm foundations for growth while overseeing the integration of this newly acquired business into the broader Saint-Gobain group.

In mid-2021 he took up the post of Sales Director within the Saint-Gobain Insulation UK business, then joining the Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions Executive from October that year to plan towards its external launch in July 2022.

Developing effective commercial teams is a key focus for Ian, whose broad experience has equipped him with extensive expertise in sales & commercial leadership, national account management, sales processes and systems including sales & operations planning (S&OP) and generating demand through specification.

A graduate in Geology, Ian also holds a Masters degree in Environmental Management – where his dissertation discussed the development of the original environmental management system at British Gypsum’s plaster facility at Barrow-upon-Soar in Leicestershire.