People: New MD for facilities management firm; Construction consultancy strengthens public sector team; and more

Huddersfield-based Orchard Facilities Management has appointed a new managing director.

Neil Ewing, who has headed up the firm’s IT division for more than 10 years, takes over from founder Gareth Henderson.

Henderson remains as chairman of Orchard FM to lead on strategy, planning and the long-term direction of the business.

He said his decision to step aside from the day to day running of the business would allow him to focus more of his time aon social enterprise projects.

“Neil and I have worked alongside one another at Orchard for many years, leading the company through a merger, rebrand and move to new premises,” said Henderson.

“Over the past 12 months we have developed the senior management team to introduce a greater female influence and a strong vision for growth.

“I feel the time is now right for Neil, operations director Justin Holley and the rest of the management team to build on the hard work that has been carried out so far.

“I will continue to meet regularly with Neil and the senior team to agree strategic objectives and oversee growth whilst also being able to devote more time to some of the personal projects that I am passionate about.”

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Property and construction consultancy Gleeds has continued the expansion of its public sector team in Yorkshire with the appointment of Michael Phillips and Lee Summersgill as directors based out of its Leeds office.

Phillips joins the business as director of project management, having previously held senior positions with Capita Symonds, Carillion and Turner & Townsend. Over the course of his 20 year career he has been instrumental in advising on and delivering major programmes of work for a wealth of public sector clients, particularly in the education and Local Authority sectors.

Summersgill will take up the position of director in the company’s advisory division. He originally joined Gleeds as an associate director in 2011 and returns to the business after a two year spell at Carillion. He is tasked with helping public sector clients across the North of England to take a commercial approach to asset investment and development.

Steven Green, director for Gleeds in Leeds, said: “Both Mike and Lee are extremely welcome additions to the Leeds business. They have vast experience of the construction industry and a solid client base, developed over the course of their successful careers to date. Each of them benefits from a unique skill set which we believe will serve to strengthen our presence in the public sector across the region.”

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James Bowers has been welcome on board as the new business banking manager for York for Barclays with responsibility for the SME sector in the city.

Bowers, who started his career with the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, has a wealth of experience in SME markets across the North Yorkshire region together with experience in asset finance and corporate and private banking.

He said: “I am really looking forward to consistently putting customers and clients interests at the heart of everything that we do – striving to improve the service that we provide and making responsible decisions in how we manage our business and help our customers grow.”