On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Avant Homes has appointed a new regional planning manager.

Katy Falls brings more than 12 years’ planning industry experience to the Chesterfield-headquartered housebuilder.

She will be responsible for moving potential sites through the planning process while establishing strong relationships with local councils.

She said: “As a planner, my favourite part of the job is successfully obtaining planning permission and seeing developments come to life. It is exciting to play a role in delivering new homes for our customers, and to contribute towards creating communities where people want to live.

“I have always favoured the residential side of planning, so I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career with a company which has such impressive and ambitious growth plans.”

Avant Homes Central is currently working on nine developments in the East Midlands.

Its regional head office is located in Nottingham.

Chris Coley, managing director at Avant Homes Central, said: “With Katy’s experience in planning within local authorities and housebuilding in the Midlands, it’s an exciting time for the business to be welcoming her to the planning team.

“As the planning manager for the region, Katy will be pivotal in working closely with local council’s to secure planning consent for our new sites and drive our Central operation towards expansion success.”

140-year-old insurance broker Russell Scanlan has welcomed a new claims handler.

Sharon Musson brings over 30 years’ experience to the Nottingham firm, which is based at Wellington Circus near the Playhouse Theatre.

Sharon Musson

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Russell Scanlan during such a pivotal point in my career. Since the moment I first met the team, I have felt supported and welcomed and I am really looking forward to applying my experience and continuing to build solid client relationships that will help to drive the business forward.

“I am very humbled to be working with such a collaborative and knowledgeable team. Russell Scanlan works with so many fantastic companies and I’m looking forward to connecting with them to help understand their different needs and create further added value. Everyone on the team is incredibly motivated to ensure they are delivering the best possible service for their clients, and this is a quality I also pride myself on. I am really looking forward to continuing building relationships with the current client base as well as being part of a team that operates with the upmost professionalism and integrity.”

The firm’s sales and marketing director Mike Dickinson added: “It is with our pleasure that we welcome Sharon to the Russell Scanlan team, especially as we gear up for a busy 2023. The past 10 months have seen the addition of new clients coupled with new team members as we enter a period of exciting growth.

“We look forward to watching Sharon grow with us and in return, helping us strengthen our renowned offering to both existing and potential clients.”