Aaron Macaskill has been appointed Managing Director of Kirkwood Timber Frame after spending his entire working career within the wider Kirkwood business.
The appointment marks the latest step in a career spanning more than 17 years with sister company Kirkwood Homes, where Macaskill progressed through roles including Architectural Technologist, Land and Planning Manager and Technical Director before moving into the top role at the timber frame manufacturer.
He is joined in the senior leadership team by Chris Smollet, who has been promoted to Operations and Commercial Director.
Smollet joined Kirkwood Homes as a Quantity Surveyor in 2021 and has 12 years’ experience across the timber frame and wider construction sector. He moved across to Kirkwood Timber Frame as Commercial Manager in 2025 and will now oversee commercial strategy and operational performance, including estimating, pre-construction and site delivery.
Aaron Macaskill, Managing Director of Kirkwood Timber Frame, said: “I’m really pleased to be taking on the role of Managing Director at Kirkwood Timber Frame. Having spent my whole working career with Kirkwood, this is a particularly rewarding professional milestone for me.
“I’m delighted to have inherited a strong order book at Kirkwood Timber Frame and my priority will be to capitalise on that by maintaining the relationships we have currently with existing customers, and identifying new opportunities to further upscale the business.
“There is significant pressure on housing supply across Scotland, and the Scottish Government has set a target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. With both open and closed panel production lines at our factory, Kirkwood Timber Frame is well placed to play a role in supporting that ambition. Timber frame offers a fast, efficient way to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the team and our customers as we shape the future of the business.”
For Smollet, the promotion expands his remit across both the commercial and operational sides of the business as Kirkwood Timber Frame develops its manufacturing capabilities and works to grow its customer base.
Chris Smollet, Operations and Commercial Director, said: “I’m looking forward to taking on this new role and supporting the continued growth of Kirkwood Timber Frame. My focus will be on improving efficiency, managing risk and maintaining the high standards of quality and service our customers expect as the business develops.”
The Aberdeenshire-based manufacturer has more than 40 years’ experience designing and manufacturing timber frame kits. Originally established to supply Kirkwood Homes, it now works with developers and other customers across the UK. Its 53,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Sauchen has capacity to produce up to 2,000 units a year.
Image: Kirkwood Timber Frame / enhanced by Rising News.
