Leading full-service provider of traditional and digital signage solutions, Astra Group, has welcomed David Mulligan to the business, in the role of Managing Director of its Signage and Digital Division.
It is a significant appointment for Astra Group, with Mulligan bringing over 15 years’ signage and manufacturing expertise to the business.
Most recently he was Operations Director at PFI, a position held for almost four years and where he concentrated on operational excellence and process change before the business ultimately suffered due to cost pressures coming out of the pandemic. Prior to this, he held a number of senior management positions in high-performing businesses, providing him with rounded experience in all aspects of the industry.
In the newly created role, Mulligan will be responsible for driving Astra Group forward in its next phase of expansion, as the business increases its national and international footprint and further extends its suite of best-in-class digital and traditional signage services. He will be responsible for all design, fabrication, and installation services including the newly created project delivery team led by Tony Bright, which allows the business to take further works on as principal contractor and continue with its expansion journey.
Speaking on his appointment, Mulligan said: “I am delighted to join Astra Group, a well-established and respected company, and to have the opportunity to support, advise, and strengthen a wonderful team.
“The business has enjoyed significant growth over the last three years, resulting from the business’s unique position to deliver a truly first-class end-to-end offer, combined with exceptional client service. It is an upward curve we are committed to sustaining as we look to continued expansion in the UK and overseas, working with clients in a broad range of sectors.”
Coinciding with the appointment of Mulligan is the promotion of Stephen Burns to Operations Director. It is a noteworthy achievement for the former Head of Production, with Burns having joined Astra Group little more than six months previous, in September 2023. Prior to joining Astra Group he was Operations Manager at isGroup, a position held for over 14 years.
Speaking on the announcement, CEO of Astra Group, Jim Kerr, said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome Dave to the business as Managing Director of our expanding signage and digital division. A people-person through and through, he is a fantastic addition to the team bringing with him not only extensive industry expertise and a proven commitment to delivering excellence as standard, but a leadership style that is incredibly fitting with Astra Group. He has already made a fantastic impact, further positively shaping the business for future growth.”
Adding, on the promotion of Burns, Kerr said: “In a short space of time Stephen has made a valuable contribution to Astra Group, effectively developing the business’s operational strategies in line with our ambitious objectives. His promotion to the Board in the position of Operations Director is thoroughly deserved.”
Burns concluded: “Astra Group is in an incredibly strong position thanks to the business’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable traditional and digital signage solutions and the robust infrastructure already in place. I am looking forward to building on this and contributing to the business’s continued success.”
The developments continue the ongoing re-structure of Astra Group, further to the unveiling of the business’s new group identity in 2023. This saw the business’s digital solutions arm, ADXBA, and bespoke architectural signage arm, Astra Signs, brought under the one brand, with the centralisation of the business’s sales and marketing departments alongside certain backend operational functions.
The news comes to follow Astra Group’s recent success at the 2024 Sign and Wrap Awards, with the business awarded Wayfinding Project of the Year for its work with Shepton Mallet Town Council. It is the second consecutive year that Astra Group has been awarded the coveted accolade, having last year been recognised for its work with Wellington Place, Leeds.
Astra Group is a leader in producing innovative visual solutions for a wide variety of sectors including travel and transportation, hospitality, retail, leisure, and international events. Recent projects include working with Manchester International Festival to deliver the signage throughout its new Aviva Studios home, continuing to deliver Large Format Roadside for Out of Home Media partners such as Global, and working into new business sectors with Arnold Clark.
UK and international clients include BT, Manchester Airport Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Bowmer & Kirkland, NHS, Gino Restaurants, Manchester City Football Club, Samsung, Gatwick Airport, Skechers, Global, JCDecaux, easyJet, Alight Media, Arnold Clark, and Unilever.
European Sign Federation