W&G Baird is expanding its activities into facilities management, and has appointed a new chief operating officer to oversee the enlarged group.


The firm was expected to finalise the acquisition of Leeds-based Corporate Document Services yesterday (14 December).


The 100-strong business, with sales of approximately 10m, handles paper-based and electronic information services for clients in the public and private sector.


It was formed by a management buy-out from the Benefits Agency in the late 1980s. The purchase price was not disclosed.


"We are trying to reposition the group in terms of not just being a simple printing company," said W&G Baird chairman Roy Bailie.


Bailie has also appointed Decorative Labels chief executive Peter Yates as chief operating officer, a newly-created position.


Coincidentally, Yates is also vice president at the BPIF, and will replace Bailie as president of the federation next year.
"It's partly due to this acquisition and really to reflect the size of the group now," explained Bailie.


Yates joins at the beginning of January.
Story by Jo Francis