On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Derbyshire contractor Enrok Construction has appointed a new project manager to lead activity on its latest scheme in the West Midlands.
Mantas Tobulevicius has worked in the construction industry for over 12 years. He will take the lead on Enrok’s Wellington Road scheme in Handsworth, Birmingham, which will see the firm build 19 affordable homes for social housing provider Citizen.
Tobulevicius has worked for some of the UK’s leading housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon, Countryside and Wates Group.
He said: “It is an exciting time to be joining Enrok and I am looking forward to delivering affordable homes in the West Midlands, and other future projects once this is completed. Enrok’s Directors are developing a very experienced and talented senior team which I am proud to be a part of.”
Simon Bennett MCIOB, operations director at Enrok, said: “Mantas’ appointment was partly about getting the right person for the right project, but also about the future of the business and succession planning. Once the Wellington Road homes are completed, we hope that Mantas will play an integral part on other projects and in the future growth of Enrok.
“I have previously worked with Mantas when we were both at Wates Group and he has a reputation as a conscientious, capable, and driven manager. I have no doubt that his leadership of Enrok’s latest residential project will result in a fantastic scheme that will be delivered on time and on budget, whilst providing the client and occupiers the high quality of home that Enrok is known for.”
Enrok recently established a permanent presence in the West Midlands for the first time.
Family-run housebuilder Fairgrove has taken on its biggest group of apprentices to date.
The Kimberley-based firm, which is currently on site at three schemes across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, has invested in six bricklaying and joinery apprenticeships as part of its latest cohort.
Managing director Steve Midgley said: “We have recruited apprentices and trainees for many years. Our accounts manager, Carly Trueman, joined us over 20 years ago as a trainee and many of our bricklayers came through their apprenticeships with us.
From left: Steve Midgley, Sam Oakland, Josh Frearson, Jack Deaton, Jamil Ulhaq and Sam Cooke
“Our kitchen factory manager started with us five years ago on a degree apprenticeship with Derby University. He now has a permanent secure job with us at Fairgrove, as well as his degree and no student loan debt to pay whatsoever – we think an apprenticeship is a fantastic way for young people to invest in themselves.”
Midgley added: “We specifically set out a policy five years ago to grow the employed workforce of the company, but unfortunately COVID-19 got in the way, and we lost two years of intake.
“We hope that this 2022 intake of apprenticeships will signal a full return to the norm, as we continue to grow and invest in the workforce of the future.”
