People: Dragons’ Den entrepreneur appointed; New college principal announced; and more
Hull-based Rob Purfield Associates, a motor sector training and business development specialist, has appointed Laura Booth as Business Development Associate.
Booth is a Dragons’ Den entrepreneur who successfully secured £65,000 investment from Theo Paphitis for the original WedgeWelly concept.
She has over a decade’s worth of experience running her own businesses, as well as expertise in the high-end retail sector, where she worked with clients to shift business perceptions and inspire growth.
As Business Development Associate, Booth will be responsible for delivering the firm’s growth strategy. She will also take the lead in creating and delivering solutions helping clients to develop their brand communication and delivery of their customer proposition.
Booth said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a fast-paced business that is committed to helping its clients improve and grow.
“Having developed two successful start-up businesses and gained experience selling to, and working with, major brands like Amazon, Debenhams and QVC, I’m looking forward to helping client businesses create positive change and help maximising the potential of their people.”
Rob Purfield, Principal Associate and founder, said: “I am delighted that Laura is joining the business.
“Her combination of energy, experience and expertise in helping businesses perform better is fantastic, and she will play a crucial role in helping us develop and grow our business along with helping our clients in their aspirations.”
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Doncaster University Technical College (UTC) has made a key appointment to lead the way in student recruitment, prepare the college for its opening and to run the organisation after it has opened.
Garath Rawson, from Mansfield, has been appointed as Principal at Doncaster UTC and will take up his post in September 2019, a year before the organisation opens its doors to its first students.
Joining Doncaster UTC from his role as Vice Principal of Sheffield UTC Olympic Legacy Park, Rawson, 38, said: “I am really looking forward to taking up the post of Principal.
“It will be fantastic to be able to steer this project from the beginning, take what I’ve learned from opening the Olympic Legacy Park UTC and build on that to make sure Doncaster UTC is a great new offer for students in Doncaster and surrounding areas.
“I’m also very excited to be working with the Trust and can see so many benefits for Doncaster UTC being part of this bigger group.
“Employers are key to the success of a UTC and it is wonderful to learn about the strong partnerships and links that have already been developed in Doncaster.
“The employer engagement means we can develop a curriculum that will deliver the right skills for industry.
“Having a UTC in the town will improve the employability of students. Key to this is the combination of vocational and academic learning that we’ll be able to offer, to bring the real world into the classroom.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the passionate and proactive team who have got Doncaster UTC to this stage and to start engaging with employers and importantly families and potential students looking for something different from their education from 2020.”
Doncaster UTC will be a school for teenagers aged 13-19, led by employers to provide an innovative and engaging vocational learning environment.
With a core curriculum based around STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, the UTC will provide an opportunity for learners to specialise in advanced engineering and digital design.
The UTC will be part of a new Multi Academy Trust called the Brighter Futures Learning Partnership Trust, (BFLPT) alongside a number of primary schools and Hungerhill School.
Helen Redford Hernandez, CEO of BFLPT and head teacher at Hungerhill, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have recruited Garath.
“He brings with him 15 years’ experience in teaching and was heavily involved in the development and opening of a UTC just down the road in Sheffield.
“Garath’s skills are exactly what we need to ensure that when Doncaster UTC opens in September 2020 to year nine and year 12 students, we offer them the best possible mix of vocational and academic education that will equip them to develop careers in the engineering and digital design world.”
Paul Stockhill, owner and managing director of Agemaspark Ltd, said: “This is fantastic news for Doncaster UTC.
“The employer partners are all looking forward to welcoming Garath to Doncaster and working with him to create a learning environment that will attract students from across the region who are keen to develop the skills needed for a career in engineering or digital design.”
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Yorkshire and Humber civil engineering and building company Britcon (UK) has appointed Nick Shepherd to the role of Managing Director.
Joining the £50m turnover privately owned business, Shepherd said he had made this career move to lead, strengthen and implement strategic business change through an evolving construction sector.
Bringing with him 30-years of industry knowledge and experience he will continue to build upon the success of the company whilst expanding its business activity throughout the region.
Shepherd joins Britcon (UK) from Kier Northern, where he was the Regional Operations Director from 2015, overseeing the growth of the Yorkshire division.
He has previously worked for both PLC and privately owned businesses across a spectrum of high profile developments and other projects.
Established for almost 30 years Britcon directly employs 95 people on its project sites across the UK. During recent years the company has delivered single projects of up to £15m in value.
Britcon’s key clients include Associated British Ports, Drax Power, Stobart Group, McCains, Siemens, Refood, British Steel, Kemira, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council.
Welcoming the appointment, CEO Shaun Hunt, said: “We are delighted to have Nick joining us and spearheading Britcon.
“His appointment comes at an exciting time for the business as we move towards our 30th year of trading.
“With plans to focus on specific sectors whilst maintaining traditional markets, Nick is a fantastic coup for our business and has all the right attributes and credentials to build upon its success and implement Britcon’s future growth strategy.
“Nick brings with him an extensive skill-set, significant knowledge and industry experience, which will prove invaluable moving the business forward.
“Innovative and with a strong leadership style, Nick is already inspiring our team with forward thinking and driving momentum throughout the company.”
Shepherd added: “I am delighted to join Britcon at this very exciting time and look forward to working with Shaun and the board as we build upon on its already proud name, reputation and business success.”
