Removals and storage specialist Pickfords has announced the appointment of Russell Start as the new managing director of its operating company Moving Services Group UK Ltd. Mr Start will be taking over from Kevin Pickford, who has been with the group for over 30 years, the last five of them as managing director of Pickfords UK.

Over that time, Mr Pickford has steered the business through a change of ownership in 2008 and through the challenging economic climate of the recession. He will be returning to his home in Australia, and will continue to work with the group.

Russell Start, a 28-year veteran of the moving and relocation industry, worked for Pickfords for many years in a variety of senior management roles. In 2003, he moved to TEAM Allied, part of The TEAM Group, where he has spent the last six years as managing director.

Mr Start says, "The business is in good shape, and, with optimism beginning to return to the markets we serve, I look forward to leading the company through its next stage of development."