People: The latest West Midlands hires
Thursfields Solicitors has made nine promotions in “recognition of talent, hard work and loyalty” in the past 18 months.
Key promotions are Jade Linton who is now HR director and joins the executive team at board level and Sharon Oakley who is promoted to director in the Wills & Estates team.
Michelle O’Hara, managing director of Thursfields Solicitors, said: “These promotions are a highly merited reward for the role these individuals have played in driving forward our corporate plan. In what has been a very difficult 18 months for every business in the UK, it is thanks to the talent, hard work and loyalty of our workforce that Thursfields has kept on track and continued to grow.
“Despite the pandemic and its impact on normal office routine and working practices, these colleagues have helped to ensure we continue to further our key goals of a client-focussed business and an inclusive workplace culture.”
The other promotions cover Thursfields’ legal teams in family law, corporate, commercial litigation, commercial property, wills and estates, and internal operations.
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Worcestershire-based connections provider Rock Power Connections has expanded its team with the appointment of nine staff following an increase in demand for its services.
The business recently secured a new three-year contract with Western Power Distribution [WPD], building on the major project frameworks which the team have worked on over the past six years. This, alongside the increase in demand for Electric Vehicle (EV) EV charging infrastructure, has resulted in an increase in business growth over the last five months.
Rock Power Connections has appointed Brad Hudson, Brian Williams and Jim Garner to support its new electrical installation contract for Western Power Distribution (WPD), together with new project manager Rob White, who will play a key role in Rock Power Connection’s EV charging installations.
New employees have also been appointed throughout the business to meet an increase in demand for electrical connections, with new hires taken on to support ICP, Civils and Primary Substations work.
Matt Crampton, director of Rock Power Connections, said: “Over the past 12 months, Rock Power Connections has continued to provide vital installations across all areas of the network, despite the challenges the pandemic has presented.
“The number and breadth of roles of our new hires reflects the business’ sustainable growth strategy, and illustrates development in all areas of the business. These hires come after a string of successful contract wins and the need to expand our team to meet growing demand.
“We believe our growth in the first quarter of 2021 is a sign of things to come, and I am excited to see what the rest of the year brings for the business.”
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A Shropshire law firm has welcomed two new recruits.
Lanyon Bowdler has appointed a learning and development manager in a newly-created role, along with an IT training specialist, as part of a growing team to support the firm’s staff.
Debbie Brooks, Lanyon Bowdler’s HR manager, said the appointments were part of a long-term strategy to develop the firm’s back-office team.
She said: “We are delighted to welcome Emma Harrison as our new learning and development manager, and Cliff Parker as a dedicated IT training specialist.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have seen demand increase across many areas of the firm over the past 12 months.
“As well as recruiting into our various legal departments, we have made it a priority to build our team of support staff, who are vital to the continued success of the firm.
“It’s all part of a long-term strategy to invest in our people, which underpins the efficient and professional service our lawyers provide for our clients.”
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National maintenance and construction contractor Novus Property Solutions has underlined its commitment to dynamic future growth across the next five years with the appointment of a new head of business development, Claire Bailey-Jones.
She will be responsible for continuing to drive the company’s growth across its target sectors nationwide, focusing in particular on further developing the company’s presence within the housing, education, and healthcare sectors, and with a clear goal of securing a greater proportion of higher-value contracts.
Having previously held new business and senior leadership roles with companies including Wates Group, Mears Group and Lowry Homes, as well as with Salford City Council, Bailey-Jones has an in-depth understanding of the maintenance and construction sector from both client and contractor perspectives.
She said: “I am delighted to join Novus at an exciting time as we move forward to drive ambitious growth plans. I aim to achieve business growth through strategic targets in both the Private and Social Housing sector focusing on sustainable, long-term build and refurbishment projects with key clients across the UK.”
The Stoke-on-Trent headquartered contractor has also recruited Aine Girn as head of marketing.
She brings agency-side and in-house communications expertise from her recent role with Birmingham marketing agency Spoke Conversation.
Girn has also previously held head of marketing and management roles with principal contractor Shaylor Group, and with PwC in Thailand.
