THE grand daughter of the founder of a Ruthin based civil engineering company has joined the family business.
Ruth Jones, 26, a chartered accountant, has been appointed as the assistant commercial manager at Jones Bros, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering firms.
Ruth, who went to Brynhyfryd School, Ruthin, before studying accountancy and economics at Liverpool University, said: “I am delighted to be working in the family business again.
“I spent many summers doing holiday jobs in the company, but it has grown so much since then.
“It is fabulous see it winning larger contracts now and employing more and more people.” Ruth completed her accountancy training with the international firm, Deloitte, and had been working in their offices in Manchester until joining the family firm.
And her accountancy training is already coming in useful. “I’ve been handling Jones Bros’ recent acquisition of a local company,” said Ruth.
“All the figures and administration of that transaction has fallen to me. “My role is far more wide ranging that my previous auditing jobs so it’s very varied and interesting.
“I’ve obviously still got plenty to learn about the business and my role, but having worked in other companies I can bring new and fresh ideas and that’s very important.
”Founded in the 1950s, Jones Bros has grown rapidly in the last decade. Turnover has increased from £12m in 2000 to almost £38m in 2008-09.
The company was recently awarded the highest ever mark in the UK in an environmental quality assessment in the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme, CEEQUAL, for work on infrastructure for the Welsh Assembly Government’s £13m business park at Parc Cybi, Anglesey.
Jones Bros is currently working on about 20 contracts around the UK. They include two wind farm infrastructure schemes in Scotland and a two year framework contract to undertake waste management work in Yorkshire.
Ruth’s father, Huw Jones, is managing director of the company. Ruth’s sister, Helen, already works for the company, as training co-ordinator.
Their grand father, founder, Glyn, is retired from day-to-day operations, but continues to take an active interest in the company.