People: Economist joins planning consultancy; new MD for concrete firm – and more
Socio-economics and research expert Simon Macklen has joined Marrons Planning as director of economics.
With more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, Macklen will head up Marrons Planning’s new socio-economics service, which will support developers in evidencing the need for and impact of schemes on the local population, social infrastructure and the economy in planning proposals.
He will be responsible for setting up the new service line – which will complement the consultancy’s existing planning services, including planning applications and appeals, environment statements and commercial assessments – and growing the team in the future.
Macklen said: “Marrons Planning is a forward-thinking consultancy that clearly sees the role of socio-economic-related work as of significant benefit to its client base.
“I enjoy drawing out the need for development and its impact on the surrounding population and, in particular, identifying the benefits of a scheme to the local community that are quite often hidden or not so obvious. This insight can also help inform a client’s commercial decision-making process.”
Coalville construction materials supplier Aggregate Industries has appointed Lee Sleight as the new managing director of its Readymix Concrete division and member of the company’s executive committee.
Sleight has held various senior leadership positions for building material suppliers and has two decades of experience in heavy side construction. Most recently was business unit manager for Sika.
Sleight said: “I am delighted to be joining Aggregate Industries and look forward to helping the business navigate the challenges posed by a post-pandemic recovery. In a market that’s always changing and evolving, it’s never been more important to understand what customers need and ensure we deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that solve real life problems. I look forward to making my mark on the division and supporting the business in building on its success to date.”
Dragan Maksimovic, chief executive officer for Aggregate Industries, said: “I’d like to congratulate Lee on his new position and look forward to working alongside him as a member of our senior team. With his far-reaching experience, I’m confident Lee will be a real asset to the Executive Committee, and the wider business.”
Isobel Jones-Walters, Adam Walker, Simran Matharu and Zoe Jordan
M-EC, the development technical consultant, has recruited five new members of staff.
Joining the firm are: Zoe Jordan, assistant flood risk engineer; Simran Matharu, assistant transport planner; Isobel Jones-Walters, land surveyor; Natasha Kearl, geo environmental engineer; and Adam Walker, acoustic consultant.
Alex Bennett, director of M-EC, said: “We are extremely pleased to be expanding our team with these five new appointments. Each individual is bringing a specific set of expertise to the company and I am looking forward to seeing them grow within M-EC and positively impact our client base.”
“It’s great to see increased interest in careers in engineering and development consultancy from women. It’s certainly a growing trend across the country and I know more women joining the industry will bring huge benefits, both to individual firms and the sector as a whole. M-EC is proud to support a diverse workforce as an equal opportunities employer.”
