People: Senior hire for modular construction specialist; Comms firm appoints creative director; and more

Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has appointed Alan Davidson as healthcare director.

With more than 30 years’ experience in estates and facilities management in both the NHS and private sector, Davidson will be responsible for overseeing and increasing Birmingham-based Darwin Group’s turnover in the public and private healthcare market.

His background has already proved useful with Darwin Group having delivered three new wards for NHS Trusts across Britain in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Davidson was director of estates and facilities management within the NHS and has acted as project director on schemes with a value of up to £120m for developments such as acute hospitals, dental schools, primary care facilities, mental health services and ambulance trusts.

He said: “Having worked in the healthcare sector for many years, I am excited to be able to deliver high-quality, fit for purpose, bespoke buildings for the NHS and social care providers using modern methods of construction.

“Covid-19 has presented many challenges for the NHS and being able to provide much needed bespoke high-quality facilities in one of the biggest crises our country has faced in decades makes our role in the construction industry ever more important.”

Charles Pierce, managing director at Darwin Group, added: “Alan will play an invaluable role within the healthcare division of our business. We are committed to attracting top talent and Alan’s extensive knowledge, contacts and expertise within the healthcare sector will help to expand our portfolio.

“The pandemic has presented many challenges; however, we have been able to continue our construction work throughout due to building off-site at our factory in Shrewsbury. Alan’s appointment signifies our need to expand our healthcare division which will help us to offer the very best for our healthcare clients.”

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RBH Creative Communications has appointed Michael Vines as creative director.

Vines joined the West Midlands-base full-service agency in March 2016. After starting his career in South Africa in the early 2000s, he has worked at a variety of creative agencies, including TBWA and McCann.

Since joining the team, he has delivered creative campaigns for clients including PEUGEOT, Young People First and the NHS.

RBH founding partner Debra Hepburn said: “Michael is a fantastic asset to the senior team and thoroughly deserves this promotion. He is an extremely talented and considered writer who has a remarkable ability to connect with our clients’ brands.

“Michael has earned the trust of not only the creative department but the agency as a whole – he inspires and motivates the team which is exactly what we want from our creative lead.”

Vines added: “I am so proud and grateful that I get to work with such a dynamic and talented team who truly cares about the work it delivers. This is an exciting time for RBH, as we add new clients to our portfolio, and I’m delighted to have been made custodian of our creative output.”

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Principle Estate Management has made another key appointment.

Adam Jones joins as business integration and asset manager as Principle continues to add to its team. He is Principle’s fifth recruit in 2020, taking total numbers to 22, including three consultants.

Joe Jobson, director at Principle Estate Management, said: “We know Adam from a previous role at CPBigwood where we worked together.

“His timing in approaching us was perfect as there are not many with his experience in this niche part of our sector.

“The person we were seeking has to be thorough, organised, communicative, and have a wide knowledge of buildings and leases in order to ensure we are set up right first time when we take a new estate into management and be able to hand over all relevant information to the property manager to ensure a smooth transition.

“We know he is all these things, and he is also experienced in using Qube, the bespoke property management package we utilise to ensure all our data is constantly updated.”

His appointment comes as Principle promotes Holly Cox, who joined the firm as an apprentice in February 2020, into a property assistant role in the customer services team. Esme Williams will be working with Adam Jones as business integration assistant.

Now in its third year, Principle Estate Management has tripled in size in the last 12 months, with the number of units it looks after rising from just under 2,000 to 6,000. Staff numbers have risen from seven to 22 in just over a year.

The company is based at Cornwall House in Lionel Street, Birmingham.