An African-focused support service and Construction Company, Sunbird group has announced the appointment of four former executives from Capita and Carillion to its board as it plans to expand. Sunbird intends to replicate Carillion and Capita’s business models in East Africa.

These new appointees bring over 25 years of developed market experience and knowledge of Africa from the support services sectors, facilities management and real estate construction. They are John McDonough CBE, former CEO of Carillion PLC, Preston Haskell, Non-Executive Director, Co-founder of African Capital Investments, Auriant Mining AG and Forum Properties Africa and Richard Benton, former Chairman of Mouchel PLC and a founding director of Capita Group PLC.

In order to support its next stage of expansion, Sunbird has also completed a Series A fund raise of $7 million and listed a debt bond of the Bermudan Stock Exchange, of which $2.3 million has already been subscribed. The Group is also backed by cornerstone investor and founder of Capita Group PLC, Sir Rod Aldridge.

Michael Aldridge, Co-founder of Sunbird Group and Managing Director, who was delighted to announce the Board appointments and successful fundraise, said he expects that this strategy will lead to a significant increase in market share and profitability.

Sunbird which had revenue in excess of $30m last year is present in Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, providing asset finance, construction, property management and support services. It has 400 employees spread across the region, with offices in each country, and hopes its scale will allow it to dominate the fragmented market.

Sunbird Group provides specialist Construction and Support Services to clients across East Africa in diverse sectors such as Tourism, Oil & Gas, Professional Services and Mining. Their current clients include J.P.Morgan, McKinsey, Gemfields plc, Eni SPA., Vale S.A. and the luxury tourist resort Uzuri on the island of Zanzibar.