People: Northstone; TalkTalk; Tilia Homes Northern; Sherrington Associates; Clarke Willmott; Unity Mutual
North West homebuilder Northstone has appointed Jo Allen as its partnerships director in a move that reflects the company’s mix tenure growth.
Jo has been promoted into the new role, having been instrumental in its growth with deals also completing in the past 12 months. In that time, Northstone – part of Peel L&P – has extended its reach across the North West, with energy-efficient homes now available for sale, rent and shared ownership.
The move also recognises the increased importance Northstone continues to place on social value and sustainability, with external partnerships with community, education and environmental organisations being at the core of the company’s mission to create sustainable neighbourhoods.
This adds to Jo’s existing position as operations director for Letta – the suburban build-to-rent company set up by Peel L&P and Redwing, part of The Regenda Group. Letta’s first properties have been Northstone new builds.
Phil Wilson, chief executive at Northstone, said: “A major part of Northstone’s growth and success has been through the partnerships we’ve forged with contractors, local authorities, housing providers, including the local community and environmental groups. This will become more important as we extend our offer across the North of England, meaning appointing Jo as our partnerships director was the next logical step as it becomes an integral part of our business.
“Jo has been instrumental in establishing a highly collaborative approach and we’re thrilled she’s taken up this key leadership role.”
Jo Allen said: “Northstone’s approach from day one has always been to unpack the homebuilding process and explore how things can be done differently. The approach to building quality relationships and genuine partnerships was no exception, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved to date … from our work with local charities and schools in the places we work, to the commercial deals we’ve struck to make our sites truly mix tenure and great places to live.”
::
James Quinn
Salford-based TalkTalk Group has appointed James Quinn as its new director of communications.
Following a long-standing career in business journalism including as the group business editor of the Daily Telegraph, and five years in senior communications roles, James has joined TalkTalk to lead corporate and financial communications, campaigns, PR, and social media.
He will report into the director of corporate and regulatory affairs, Lucy Thomas, who recently joined the group’s executive committee. James succeeds Dominic Laurie, who had held the role since 2020.
TalkTalk recently announced that a new chief financial officer, James Smith, will join the business this month after nine years as CFO at the FTSE 250-listed Capricorn Energy.
Lucy Thomas said: “James brings with him a wealth of communications experience and journalistic nous, with a range of expertise. Our dynamic corporate affairs team are looking forward to James’s new perspective and ideas to strengthen and reinforce our campaigns, as we work together through this critical and exciting time in the telecoms sector.”
James Quinn said: “I’ve long admired TalkTalk’s challenger spirit, and so am delighted to be joining the company in its 20th anniversary year.”
::
Chris Whyte
Tilia Homes Northern has appointed Chris Whyte to lead its growing technical team.
With more than 15 years’ experience in construction and technical engineering, Whyte brings a broad portfolio of skills and expertise to the Warrington-based homebuilder. Whyte joins from Morris Homes where he was for five years, leaving as technical director and Taylor Wimpey before that.
He said: “I’ve been in the construction sector since I was 18 years old and, in that time, I’ve seen so much change, much for the good. I’m most looking forward to the new challenge here at Tilia Homes and working with a passionate and talented team to drive technical innovation across the region to create operational efficiencies that benefit the business, but more importantly, our customers and the communities in which we build.”
Chris’s appointment is the latest in a series of milestone announcements from the business over the past 12 months. The homebuilder was acquired by investment house Terra Firm in June 2021 before opening a new office in Birchwood Business Park, home to more than 90 people.
Stuart Craig, regional managing director for Tilia Homes Northern, said: “Tilia Homes Northern will greatly benefit from Chris’s unparalleled technical experience. We’re thrilled to welcome Chris on board and look forward to the positive impact he will make to the business.”
::
From left: Brogan Craine, Joanne McKay, Rob McKay, Joe Onions
Chester-based executive search firm Sherrington Associates is eyeing further growth after bolstering its team.
Sherrington Associates has restructured a key role internally and aligned its mission with sustainable leadership. The recruitment specialist, which focuses on senior and mid-level vacancies across the UK, is also hopeful of earning B-Corp accreditation in the coming weeks to show its commitment to people and the planet.
Managing director Rob McKay said: “We’re seeing an increase in senior level recruitment, as well as building new sales teams across multiple sectors as organisations look to expand into different territories and industries.”
“As a result of our growth, and with one eye on the future, we’ve appointed Brogan Craine as an executive researcher following roles in the property sector and the NHS. In addition, Joe Onions, who joined us in 2021 will now head up our recruitment of sales personnel.”
::
Stephen Green
National law firm Clarke Willmott has further strengthened its Manchester-based commercial team with the appointment of Stephen Green and Rebecca Hallam.
Commercial contracts specialist, Stephen, former head of commercial at Bermans, joins Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office as a partner. Rebecca Hallam, formerly at Kuits, joins as an associate.
“Stephen is a highly experienced solicitor with outstanding experience, and we are delighted to welcome him and Rebecca on board,” said Ed Foulkes, head of Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office.
“Their appointments represent a significant expansion of our Manchester office offering and bring new expertise to our national commercial and IP team.”
Stephen previously worked at Muckle in Newcastle before going in house at MATCH Hospitality, then moving back into private practice in 2019. He advises clients on the full range of commercial contracts and has particular experience in heavy industry, hospitality, retail, leisure and sport sectors.
::
Ben Pears
Unity Mutual, the financial services arm of non-profit mutual the Oddfellows, has appointed Ben Pears as new insurance director.
This marks an exciting time for the company which has offices in Liverpool and Manchester, as it continues to provide competitive products that make a real difference to savers nationwide.
Ben arrives in the role with 25 years of financial service experience, having first joined the Oddfellows in February 2021 as part of the transfer of engagements of Kingston Unity Friendly Society. He has gained his extensive experience at a range of big name firms such as Aviva, Virgin Money, and Barclays, and prior to Kingston Unity he was the CEO for a small disruptive fintech business.
He said: “I’m looking forward to my new position at Unity Mutual as their ethos aligns with what is important to me in my work – ensuring that we put our customers at the heart of everything we do, creating products for them and not for shareholder profit.”
Jane Nelson, Oddfellows CEO, said “Along with other appointments we’ve made to our leadership, including the appointment of a new finance director, Ben’s appointment marks an important time for our organisation and financial services brand.”
Steve Code, who joined the Oddfellows in 2011 as the insurance director, is retiring after a 45-year career in financial services. He said: “I have been incredibly lucky to have worked with many fantastic people who have shared my vision to deliver excellent customer service, growth and good returns for the benefit of our customers.”
