People: KWB; Aurrigo; Small Business Council

Birmingham-based property consultancy KWB has appointed Gareth Marchment as managing director of its property management division.

Most recently, Marchament was a director at Orbit Property Management where he oversaw a nationwide portfolio of clients and was instrumental in generating significant company growth during his 15-year tenure.

Before that, he held posts at Granite Property Partners and Bruton Knowles.

Marchament’s new role is to accelerate KWB Property Management’s growth across the Midlands and nationwide.

The division specialises in the management of new and existing offices, retail, industrial and residential buildings and developments on behalf of developers and landlords, as well as maximising value through asset management.

He said: “I am thrilled to have joined the KWB team as both a senior leader and shareholder. The property management division is well established in Birmingham with a reputation for quality personal service and excellent results, reflected by the number of long-term and returning clients in the portfolio. Our dedicated and experienced team are committed to maximising client assets and success as well as our own.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know our existing clients and nurturing relationships with a particular focus on the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as expanding our customer base. KWB has the added benefit of offering the full range of property services meaning we can provide bespoke solutions to optimise our service.”

John Bryce, founder and director at KWB, said: “We are excited to work with Gareth to grow our property management portfolios in the Midlands region and beyond. He has a wealth of knowledge and contacts and is a great fit for the KWB group. 2023 was a very good year for the division, especially the residential portfolio, with our block management work set to increase.

“I’d like to thank Mark Lenton for his commitment to KWB to date. He has overseen the impressive development of our property management portfolio over the last 20 years and has led the business through some difficult economic times. We have also had the benefit of his extensive knowledge and experience and he was instrumental in starting our now
flourishing residential block management division now led by Nicola Fagan.”

An autonomous vehicle specialist has made a new appointment to drive its aviation activity.

Aurrigo International plc, which was listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in September 2022, has made Lewis Girdwood its Executive Director of Aviation Technology.

Lewis Girdwood

The former head of financial planning and analysis at EasyJet and chief financial officer of IAG Cargo will be responsible for rolling out the company’s third generation Auto-DollyTug ®, an all-electric, autonomous vehicle that combines the utility of a baggage tractor with the ULD carrying capability of an airport dolly all in one.

There will also be a strong focus on introducing the firm’s Auto-Sim ® 3D digital twin software to more strategic partners, technology that can help airlines and airports simulate the impact of electrification and autonomous vehicles in the digital world.

Lewis Girdwood said: “This is a really exciting time for Aurrigo, with recent partnerships and contracts giving us
real momentum in the aviation sector and we expect more to follow. Autonomous technology is constantly being spoken about, but few companies are at the stage where they are deploying it in a real-world environment. By the middle of this year, Auto-DollyTug ® will be demonstrating the movement of luggage and cargo around five airports, delivering greener efficiencies and a potential answer to the sector’s widening skills gap.”

Girdwood who previously held a non-exec Audit Chair position at Aurrigo, has worked with several high-profile businesses at different stages of their growth and maturity. He has significant experience in aviation and delivering strong financial performance and will use this expertise to help deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans through the mix of
strategic customer partnerships it has signed and those currently in discussion.

David Keene, chief executive officer at Aurrigo, said: “Lewis has already proved his value to the business since he came on to the board and this latest role will tap into his extensive financial and aviation background, whilst his ability to maximise
commercial partnerships will be crucial over the next twelve months.”

A female figure in the construction industry has joined a new council of business leaders chosen by the Government to help provide a voice for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Julie White

Julie White, the managing director of Coventry-headquartered D-Drill & Sawing, has been invited by Kevin Hollinrake MP, the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, to join the Small Business Council.

The Council will serve as an advisory body to the Government, providing ‘valuable perspectives on the challenges facing UK SMEs’ as well as offering suggestions to help overcome any barriers to growth.

The first meeting of the council took place on Thursday (February 22) and White, who is also the chair of Build UK, has committed to representing construction as well as highlighting issues that affect all SMEs, which make up 99.9 per cent of all businesses in the UK and support 27 million jobs.

She said: “I’m honoured to have been selected to join the new Small Business Council and welcome this opportunity to share my thoughts on what it’s like doing business in the current climate. Everyone knows that trading is tough, and it’s vital that SMEs are given as much support as possible to help them grow.

“Working with business, the Government can help to create the right economic conditions to help us all flourish by ensuring consistent policy, improving procurement and providing support for skills.”