People: ScanTech Digital; Fisher German; Secure Trust Bank

ScanTech Digital has appointed a new technical director, James Yeomans to spearhead the next phase of growth.

Yeomans joins Birmingham-based ScanTech Digital from Howells where he held the positions of architect and director of digital innovation.

He joins with a wealth of knowledge and experience adding to ScanTech’s survey and modelling services to clients in Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE) and Estate Management.

Yeomans, said: “I’m pleased to taking up the technical baton at ScanTech during such a pivotal time for the business. This is a transformative period for the AEC industry, as it continues towards a ‘3D-first’ approach, and my background in architecture and BIM enhances ScanTech’s already impressive offerings. Empowering AEC professionals to navigate the built environment through strategic technology use is key in my work and ScanTech’s mission.”

Luke Fowler, co-founder, said: “Having started our journey six and a half years ago building our technical offerings and processes from scratch, it’s been a pleasure working alongside James for the past three months as I hand over those vital responsibilities. I’m now able to go on a long-planned trip, with confidence that James will successfully lead our technical offering to all our valued clients, including British Land and Jaguar Land Rover.”

A property consultancy has appointed an experienced lease advisory expert to grow the service across Birmingham and the Midlands as well as increase the size of the team.

Ishfaq Hussain has joined Fisher German as a partner in its Birmingham office after a wide-ranging career in commercial lease advisory work, both in consultancy and client-side.

Hussain has represented household names such as the National Trust and the NFU, as well as high-net-worth individuals and investor landlords.

He has also gained invaluable experience in the world of insolvency, representing Begbies Traynor amongst other clients and has undertaken lease advisory work in London, the Midlands, Scotland and other parts of the UK.

Ishfaq Hussain and Rupert Collis

One of his notable achievements was managing the property portfolio at Patisserie Valerie following its administration.

He coordinated with institutional and private landlords as well as making arrangements with creditors to maintain supply chains following the company’s collapse in 2018, salvaging many jobs and ultimately facilitating a pre-pack sale that retained the brand’s value.

He said: “Fisher German’s growth ambitions and the unique opportunity to contribute to these plans were both pivotal in attracting me to the role. I am delighted to be joining Fisher German at this critical juncture for our clients in providing informed and insightful lease advisory services which will be required both on the landlord and the tenant side.

“My experience in many different aspects of commercial lease advisory will enable me to deliver the most informed advice on behalf of Fisher German’s clients, and I’m looking forward to using my strong network to help win more work for the firm.”

Rupert Collis, head of commercial lease advisory at Fisher German, said: “I am excited about the arrival of Ishfaq, as his appointment continues to strengthen the existing commercial lease advisory services that we are currently offering across the Fisher German office network.

“The Midlands is a key area for growth, and with Ishfaq joining the team, we will be well-placed to realise the opportunities in the region that we are already seeing with our commercial property management and infrastructure & utilities clients. This year will be fantastic as we see that growth in the Midlands and continue to deliver great results for existing and new clients alike.”

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance (STB CF), the asset-based lending (ABL) arm of Secure Trust Bank, has announced the promotion of James Hodkinson to managing director, following the retirement of John Bevan.

In his previous role as chief operating officer, working in collaboration with Bevan, Hodkinson’s operational expertise and service-led approach has been fundamental to the growth enjoyed by STB CF over the last 10 years.

James Hodkinson

Hodkinson began his career at the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he undertook a variety of leadership and strategy roles within the invoice finance business.

He then held various nationwide leadership roles covering sales and relationship management within Barclays’ sales finance division.

These included head of medium corporate team and head of relationship management, where he was responsible for a team of 140 people, before moving to Secure Trust Bank in 2014 to help set up the Commercial Finance division.

Hodkinson said: “Having been with STB CF since its inception, it has been truly amazing to be involved in growing the business into what it is today. It will be very much business as usual from January and I am looking forward to leading the business on its continued journey of growth. The team and I look forward to sharing our plans with our valued partners over the coming months. John leaves a great team at STB CF, and we would like to thank him and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

John Bevan, former managing director at STB CF, said: “I am very proud of what has been achieved with James and the team over the last 10 years and I’m very grateful for their support and the support of our clients and introducers. The culture we have developed together is very important and with James this will continue to be built upon as the business continues to grow strongly.”