People: Board appointment for business supplies specialist; New chair announced for RICS regional board; and more

The Sheffield-based holding company of the UK and Ireland’s largest multi-channel business supplies and services distributor has appointed Ken Williamson a non-executive director.

Williamson has strengthened the board of EVO Business Supplies, based in Sheffield Business Park, by bringing senior level experience of merger and acquisition and financing work, as well as of general commercial affairs.

The EVO group of companies provides sourcing, storage and fulfilment services to over 50,000 resellers, corporate clients and public-sector organisations, through its two main trading companies: VOW, the business products and facilities supplies wholesaler, which has a network of over 2,000 resellers, and Banner, a major workplace supplies and service provider to the private and public sectors.

Williamson is currently chairman of Stoke-on-Trent based DW3 Products Group, a strategic investor in innovative, high growth manufacturing companies in the fenestration sector. The group is backed by north and Midlands-based private equity firm NorthEdge Capital.

Earlier in his career, Williamson was transactions director of energy recruitment specialists Air Energi, a consultant and acting chief finance officer for a Montagu Private Equity-backed management buy-out, and a partner with EY.

Williamson said: “I’m joining the board at a really interesting time. The EVO group of companies is a leading player, strategically well placed and performing strongly in a sector offering exciting opportunities through channel shift and ongoing consolidation.

“An important part of my role will involve supporting the management team as they look at a range of merger and acquisition and financing opportunities.”

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Andy Hirst, associate director at Mace Group in Leeds, has been appointed chairman of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Yorkshire and Humber regional board.

He will lead the board in delivering a range of initiatives to set and improve standards in the region’s property sectors, and encourage more young and diverse talent in to the industry.

As part of RICS’ 150th anniversary this year, the board will be responsible for encouraging firms in Yorkshire and Humber’s land, property and construction sectors to get behind a campaign – known as Pledge150 – which will see RICS partnering with LandAid to raise £2.25m for the provision of 150 bed spaces across all 12 UK regions by December 2018, for young people at risk of homelessness.

Hirst joined Mace Group in September last year, and heads up the industrial,logistics and manufacturing sector in the North of England and Scotland.

Prior to this, he worked for Faithful+Gould in Leeds for nearly 23 years, delivering projects across the UK and Europe within the manufacturing and food and beverage sectors.

Lynn Robinson, RICS regional director, said: “Andy has a wealth of industry experience accrued during his time working with leading clients across a variety of sectors. He is also a former chairman of RICS Matrics Yorkshire and Humber, which is a networking and support group for students, trainees and those with ten years or less surveying experience. Therefore, I’m sure he will prove an invaluable asset to the RICS Yorkshire and Humber board as the new chairman.”

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Leeds furniture design company Dovetailors has promoted one of its cabinetmakers to head maker as it prepares to expand its commercial and ecclesiastical work in 2018.

Craig Dalziel joined Dovetailors as a trainee furniture maker after graduating from Leeds College of Art and Design. His new role will see him take a more strategic role in production planning and greater input in the design process.

Dovetailors’ creative director, David Wilson, said: “Craig’s talent and attention to detail has made his progression to head maker a natural step and the move will support expansion of the commercial and ecclesiastical elements of our business in 2018.

“His versatile skills in using traditional wood making techniques combined with computer assisted design technology results in wonderful pieces of high-quality furniture that are built to last.”
The company has also appointed Charlotte Fitzpatrick as trainee furniture maker as part of its growth plans.