Kevin Parkes returns as Finning COO

Finning International has reported that Kevin Parkes returned to the business on 1 April in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, following his recovery from cancer.

Parkes, who joined Finning UK in 1996 and was previously CEO of Hewden when it was owned by Finning, will oversee the company’s global operations. Finning International is the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer, operating in Western Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, the UK and Ireland.

Kevin Parkes, COO, Finning International. (Photo: Finning)

Parkes has held a variety of senior positions at the company. From 2010 to 2015, he was CEO of Hewden and following Finning’s sale of that business he returned to Finning to lead the UK and Ireland construction division, subsequently as Managing Direct of UK & Ireland operations. In January 2019, he became President, Finning Canada.

David Primrose, who served as interim President for Finning Canada during Parkes’s absence, has been appointed to this role on a permanent basis. Primrose has nearly 35 years of experience with Finning in Canada, UK & Ireland, and Finning International.

Scott Thomson, Finning President and CEO, said; “We are excited to welcome Kevin back. This is an excellent opportunity for our global business to benefit from Kevin’s considerable operational experience, while David is well suited to lead Finning Canada, given his vast operational and leadership expertise, along with his deep understanding of our Canadian business.”

He added; “With significant growth opportunities ahead of us, the new leadership structure will position us to execute on our global growth strategy even more effectively.”