People on the Move: Vivio; Peaks & Plains Housing Trust; WSP; Irwin Mitchell; RADA Business
Chester-based telecoms provider Vivio has appointed Stuart Evans as managing director, as the business continues to invest into its next stage of growth.
Vivio recently partnered with digital training specialists, Code Nation, as part of its continued growth across the North West and investment in addressing the digital skills shortage within the UK.
Stuart Evans joins Vivio with more than 10 years’ strategic, financial and operations leadership within high growth companies and sectors, having most recently held CFO and director roles at Wheatsheaf Group – the investment arm of the Grosvenor Estate – and KTSL, a developer of augmented reality and AI service management software solutions.
He said: “From the first meeting with the team I have been impressed with the quality and range of services that Vivio specialises in, and in particular, the business’s commitment to sourcing the most innovative solutions and providing exemplary customer service.
“The team is made up of brilliant, talented and passionate people and it’s great to have joined such an innovative company at this exciting time, with lots of new developments in motion.”
Founder and CEO of Vivio, James Wright, added: “We’re delighted to have Stuart join Vivio as MD and look forward to the future with Stuart managing the business.
“Stuart will be working closely with myself and the management team in executing our strategy as Vivio enters its next exciting phase of growth.”
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Housing provider Peaks & Plains has made a significant appointment as part of its ambitious five year plan, welcoming Mark Howden as director of place.
The profit-for-purpose housing provider currently oversees more than 5,000 homes across East Cheshire and the High Peak.
Howden joins Peaks & Plains from Balfour Beatty where he was head of development.
He brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in urban regeneration and economic development, both public and private, working across a variety of sectors including residential development, student accommodation, education, health and infrastructure.
His new role will see him spearheading regeneration and development for Peaks & Plains, with a particular focus on placemaking.
Mark Howden
Howden said: “Peaks & Plains has a great reputation within the industry, with a clear strategy and vision and a willingness to explore more innovative solutions – the renovation of three derelict mills in Macclesfield town centre being a case in point.”
He added: “The future of the housing sector is very exciting – there remains significant unmet need for new homes, and we have a key role in meeting that demand.
“However, first and foremost we must also support the creation of great places for people to live and work, producing truly sustainable and vibrant communities.”
Tim Pinder, chief executive, said: “Having Mark on board is a real coup – he brings with him extensive experience, which will be invaluable as we push ahead with our ambitious five-year plan. His passion for great placemaking is perfectly aligned with our values, and I’ve no doubt he’ll be a huge asset to both our team and our communities.”
Earlier this year Peaks & Plains announced the creation of 42 new roles as part of its commitment to its five-year plan, which is geared towards improving lives by investing and enhancing existing homes, building more homes across tenures, and creating great places to live. The team will expand from 180 to 222.
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Professional services and engineering consultancy WSP has announced a new senior hire to expand its Northern regions’ building services team that covers the North West.
Steve Royston has joined as technical director with a remit to help the strategic growth of the building services business across the North, along with adding some complementary skills to help support WSP clients.
Steve was previously a technical director for WSP based in the Middle East delivering some of its most prestigious project across the hospitality, retail, sports and financial sectors.
He returns to the North where previously he led teams in other major consultancies delivering complex projects in both the public and private sector.
Steve Royston
Andy Temple, head of the regions for building services at WSP, said: “I’m very pleased that Steve has joined our Northern Buildings and Property Team which will further strengthen our building services offering across the North adding additional leadership, technical excellence and specialist knowledge.
“As one of the largest consultancies in the North we plan to capitalise on our recent successes and I am sure Steve will play a significant key role in achieving our business aims in the region.”
Steve said: “I am really pleased to have joined WSP to champion the building services business in the North of England.
“WSP is a world-class consultancy and my role is to bring these services to the clients and projects in the region. It is an exciting time to be part of the property and buildings team with so much activity and investment across the North.”
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Irwin Mitchell has promoted eight people to partner level in its latest promotion round, including two in Manchester.
The new Partners work across the country and in the various areas of law, including real estate, personal injury, public law and private wealth.
Amanda Marsh
The promotions mean that 43% of partners at Irwin Mitchell are now female and follow the 90 associate and senior associate promotions made in January this year.
Ros Bever, regional managing partner at Irwin Mitchell in Manchester, said: “We are proud to announce our new partner promotions with a number of talented lawyers from all across the country.
“Our clients are increasingly using several different services within Irwin Mitchell for their different legal needs and the promotions show the strength in breadth we provide for our clients, whether in a business or personal situation.
“Those promoted to partner have made a strong contribution to Irwin Mitchell and demonstrated excellent work for their clients and I’m delighted to congratulate them on their success.
Mathieu Culverhouse
“It’s especially pleasing that several of those promoted started their careers here as trainees as it is hugely important to us to invest in and help develop our people.”
The Manchester promotions are Amanda Marsh, in personal injury, and Mathieu Culverhouse, who is promoted in the public law and human rights team.
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RADA Business, the commercial subsidiary of the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, has appointed Anne Welch as operations director to help manage the next phase of its growth.
The global training and consultancy provider helps people at work become brilliant communicators, delivering world-class training programmes and coaching for organisations and individuals.
The organisation, profits from which help fund RADA’s vocational training for actors and technicians, has already doubled in size since 2017 and earlier this year opened an office in MediaCity, Salford, as its first permanent location outside of London.
Anne has previously held senior, director-level positions with the Developing Health & Independence Charity, LMC Group and Definitive Consulting.
Her remit is to help facilitate the further growth of RADA Business’ London and MediaCity teams, supporting their operational and financial performance, enabling the senior management team to continue expansion of its training and consultancy services.
Kevin Chapman, director of RADA Business, said: “Anne’s experience will be crucial to the next phase of our development.
Anne Welch
“In just two years RADA Business has grown to become a team of 21 staff supporting our network of over 40 world-class tutors and business consultants.
“Our aim is to further increase the breadth and reach of our courses and consultancy, significantly developing our leadership, coaching, and women’s programmes.
“We are also going to expand our international consultancy business.”
Anne Welch said: “RADA Business is a unique organisation, both in how it takes dramatic skills and techniques and uses these to help people enhance their professional performance and personal lives, and also in how it supports the successful operation of the world-renowned drama school.
“It has grown considerably in a short space of time, and yet its ultimate potential remains largely untapped. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to help achieve our ambitious goals.”
