Pipe Center and Climate Center has completed a brace of senior appointments within its London and South East team.

Following the appointment of Brain Smithers as regional sales director earlier in the year, Matt Lee has now also joined the business as regional trading director.

With responsibility for Pipe Center and Climate Center’s 22-strong network of branches in the region, Mr Lee will be playing an instrumental role in guiding the business towards the realisation of ambitious growth and service performance targets.

Mr Lee joins the Wolseley UK business from Grafton Group where, as a founding director of Plumbase Industrial (part of Plumbase), he established himself as a very well-respected and capable sector leader. His career has also included stints in senior positions at George Fischer and BSS.

Meanwhile, Mr Smithers recently re-joined the business. A mechanical engineer by trade, he started his career with Wolseley on the trade counter at Tottenham and worked his way up to sales director before leaving in 2005 to become managing director of WF Electrical UK and then on to be business development director for Rexel Europe. In his new role, Mr Smithers is overseeing the servicing and development of contracts throughout London and the South East, working in partnership with Mr Lee to cement Pipe and Climate Center’s position as the default choice for the region’s mechanical contractors, installers and engineers.

The appointments come following a series of strategic investments in the region, including a bespoke fabrication facility in Basildon and branch investments in Slough, Greenford and Send.

Mr Smithers said: “It’s good to be back with the company that lit the fuse of ambition in me all those years ago. Wolseley is the best operator in the business and I wanted to be a part of that success story once more. In recent years there’s been a phenomenal investment in infrastructure, stock and people and a clear re-focusing of the business to put customers at the heart of all we do. The South East is alive with opportunity and with the team and tools now in place, we’re well-placed to drive significant growth for the business.”

Mr Lee added: “I’ve been deeply impressed with everything I’ve seen in Pipe and Climate Centre since joining. The business is empowered to be agile and deliver what’s needed for the customer, which places us in the strongest possible position to rise above the norm expected of a merchant and establish a leadership position. The market in this region is buoyant, demanding and fast-moving so our branches have not only got to be on top of their game at all times, but also ready to problem-solve, innovate and add value. I’m delighted to be taking on this exciting challenge.”