Berwick Partners appoint Dan Coen as the CEO of E&E Group

Following an extensive search, Berwick Partners is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Coen as the CEO of E&E Group (‘E&E’).

Merging Strengths for a Sustainable Future

The E&E Group was formed in late 2023, following the merger or Marlin Environmental Engineering (‘Marlin’) and Yellowstone Environmental Solutions (‘Yellowstone’).  This merger was the culmination of a twelve-year collaboration between two industry leaders.

Yellowstone was founded in 2011, when the company took over the waste disposal facility in Shaftesbury, Dorset, from Oil & Water Ltd. Yellowstone has expanded rapidly over the years investing significantly in creating a state-of-the-art waste treatment facility, which specialises in handling and treating oily sludges, HFO (Heavy Fuel Oils) and other problematic waste streams.

Marlin, with a rich heritage spanning over two decades, is best known for its specialist services in engineering, environmental cleaning, confined space operations, and safety training within the defence and commercial sectors.  Based near Portsmouth, Marlin provides both offshore and shore-based services, with highly skilled teams operating at locations throughout the UK and beyond.

The E&E Group aims to capitalise further on synergies generated by the merger, leveraging the combined expertise and resources of the two businesses to deliver unparalleled value and service to the Marlin and Yellowstone customer base.

The Search

The E&E board made the decision to appoint a Group CEO to support their growth ambitions and to set the strategy for the group.  This appointment required more than a safe pair of hands to lead the business.

Berwick Partners were selected to lead the search for a proven MD/CEO, from within the Environmental Engineering and Waste Management sectors, who had broad transformational experience, leading ambitious organisations which had significantly scaled.

Culturally, it was critical that the individual was an outstanding people leader who could engage at all levels of the organisation as well as external stakeholders.  As part of the process, all short list candidates undertook an extensive leadership profiling assessment and interview to discuss the results.  The preferred candidates were fully referenced against the technical and leadership requirements of the role.

Following a thorough search process, Dan Coen was identified as the ideal person to lead E&E as CEO.  Dan is a proven leader with broad sector experience having worked for leading businesses such as Tarmac, VP plc, and Socotec where he led the Infrastructure business as MD in his last role.

Strategic Synergies under Dan Coen

Under the stewardship of Dan Coen, E&E Group is poised to capitalise on the synergies arising from the merger. His strategic vision encompasses not just the integration of operational capabilities but also the cultivation of a culture of innovation and customer-centricity. His proven track record in driving organisational change and operational excellence aligns with E&E Group’s mission to deliver unparalleled value and service.

His appointment will fortify E&E Group’s position as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions in engineering, environmental services, and waste management. This strategic direction not only aims at growth and development but also at contributing positively to the environmental sustainability and resilience of the industries it serves.

A statement from the E&E Board:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Coen as the CEO of the newly established E&E Group, this marks a pivotal moment in our journey ahead. With a wealth of experience and a strategic vision, Dan Coen is poised to propel us forward into this exciting phase of growth.

Moreover, the board felt that Dan aligned seamlessly with our company’s ethos and family values which our reputations are built upon.

Our collective goal remains steadfast: to exceed expectations, drive innovation, and create value for our customers, employees, and stakeholders. With Dan Coen at the helm, we are poised for continued success.”

Reflecting on the search process:

“We would like to express our sincere thanks for your professionalism and assistance in the search for a CEO for the E&E Group. It was a very well run and efficient process. You provided us with a great selection of very capable candidates to choose from. The profiles and narrative on all the candidates put forward was excellent, informative and very helpful in guiding us towards making the right decision. We would be very pleased to use your services again for any other senior management positions that we may have in the future.”

Dan Coen statement:

“I am honoured to have been chosen as the CEO of E&E Group, and to lead this new business as it continues to deliver service excellence to our expanding customer base. This merger combines two very dynamic businesses; together we will build on this impressive foundation, capitalise on new growth opportunities, and chart a path of sustainable success. I was immediately impressed with the expertise and commitment demonstrated across the front-line teams, the ambitious vision outlined by the existing Board and the collaborative culture that runs through every level of the business. I predict an exciting few years ahead.  Colin and the Berwick Partners team were hugely supportive throughout the selection process. I found the experience engaging and transparent and our interactions were relevant and always added value. “

For more information about our Manufacturing and Engineering Practice please contact Colin Roope.