People: Oakland International; Evergreen Financial Planning; Vail Williams

Nicola Harris has been appointed group HR director by total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International.

A skilled professional in talent management, and people development and a pragmatic leader, Harris has 25 years of experience in entrepreneurial and owner-managed businesses across a variety of sectors and geographies.

Most recently, Unispace where she brought together the global HR team, navigated the challenges of the pandemic on their workforce and changes to organisational structures, and harmonised employee initiatives across the group.

Harris has worked previously with Oakland’s leadership team supporting their HR activity as an independent consultant since October 2023.

She said: “Oakland International has a strong family heritage with a deep and undeniable passion as a business to make a difference.  They have a compelling focus on culture to become an employer of choice in their sector and embrace diversity.

“I feel privileged to join Oakland’s leadership team to expand our people initiatives and continue having a positive impact on the communities we serve. The road ahead is full of opportunity.”

Oakland International group CEO Shaun Foley said: “We are delighted to welcome Nicola. Her experience will ensure our people remain at the heart of everything we do and reflect our culture across all companies within the Oakland Group, as we continue to develop and expand our service offer.”

A finance firm has announced the appointment of two fully qualified financial advisers.

Evergreen Financial Planning was formed following the merger of two separate companies owned by North Staffordshire-based Nathan Waldron and Ryan Nobbs, of Essex six months ago.

Peter Arundell and Charlotte Burns

Both Peter Arundell and Charlotte Burns had already been supporting the company since the merger whilst also completing The Academy Programme with M&G Wealth Advice – which is a partner of Evergreen.

The transition now means both the new team members are advising on all financial matters themselves and helping to support hundreds of clients from Staffordshire, Cheshire, Essex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, East London, Shropshire and Wales, along with Waldron and Nobbs.

Waldron said: “We are so pleased for both Peter and Charlotte who are very much an integral part of the business. Both had already been active with Evergreen whilst completing the academy programme and shared our values of transforming the way the financial world is perceived.

“We have always aimed to ensure financial advice is open to all. No one should be alone when it comes to looking into financial matters and along with myself and Ryan, Peter and Charlotte are helping us to support more people throughout the UK and have also increased our client base three times over.”

Arundell said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the Evergreen team and I am a firm believer in what both Ryan and Nathan are aiming to do in the industry. When I came into the industry I didn’t want to just go through the motions, I wanted to be part of something huge and I knew from the start that this company really want to make a difference and break down barriers.

“In my early career, I often used to question how businesses manage finances, and how things are done, and I had to learn – I too know what it’s like to have all those questions. Financial advice is not just for people who have a lot of wealth – it’s for everyone and what needs to be remembered is there are answers and support out there.”

Property consultancy Vail Williams has made a promotion in Birmingham as business demand continues to grow.

Matt Cureton

Among 11 financial year-end promotions across the firm’s six regions in England is new associate Matt Cureton.

Chartered surveyor Cureton is responsible for identifying, appraising and disposing of residential and commercial sites. He works closely with both landowners and end-users to create schemes which offer maximum benefit for all parties.

Matthew Samuel-Camps, managing partner, said: “We very much believe in promoting from within and developing and retaining our top talent. Outstanding personal contributions to our business growth have been rightly recognised. It is a joy to witness career trajectories taking off, with self-development and advancement through the business dependent only on exceptional performance, results and attitude whatever a person’s age.”