People: Property manager recruited; Head of Rail announced; New director at architectural practice; and more

Yorkshire-based housing charity Turning Lives Around (TLA) has appointed a property manager after winning new contracts.

Matt Harmon joins the organisation, which operates across West Yorkshire, as it launches further bids for new contracts outside its natural base and diversifies into new areas.

Formerly with Horton Housing, Harmon will be responsible for sourcing sustainable housing streams, managing contractors, landlord liaison and property development as TLA seeks to expand its housing stock through acquisition and building developments.

Already responsible for 230 plus homes Harmon joins as TLA is confirmed on the Leeds Affordable Housing Framework, which will enable it to buy land and build homes using grants of up to 50% of the value of the properties.  The charity will also be able to take over derelict properties and renovate them for social housing.  The rubber stamp follows a request from Leeds Housing Options for TLA to provide emergency accommodation for families.

TLA CEO Janet Spencer said: “Turning Lives Around is constantly evolving. From being a charity, which provided hostel accommodation we now provide a diverse range of housing options for multiple different groups including vulnerable families through to young care leavers.

“That demands control of our property through a dedicated knowledgeable manager.

“In the last year we have won new contracts in our core location and in new areas. At the same time, our capital with existing partners has risen and we were recently appointed to provide emergency accommodation for vulnerable families. At the same time we have been invited to bid for an exciting new contract to tackle entrenched homelessness among very vulnerable people.

“TLA has expert personnel in homelessness and support, but we lacked a dedicated property manager.

“Already Matt has demonstrated he will support our long-term strategy through some solid measures to manage our existing stock and he has some creative ideas to expand our portfolio.”

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A Leeds-based multi-service provider that has contracts with major organisations including Network Rail and Osborne, has appointed a new Head of Rail.

Servo Group has promoted Michelle Moss from within the company to head up the rail division, after the former Head of Rail left through ill-health. Moss has been Servo’s Commercial Director for the past two years. Prior to that she worked for Trackwork as Deployment/Engagement Manager. She has an extensive background in business development and recruitment and is passionate about placing people into sustainable employment.

Moss has played an integral part in driving Servo Group’s turnover to £10m this year. She has also been instrumental in winning notable framework agreements with Network Rail, Osborne, Buckingham Group and Amco and has been a driving force in implementing Servo’s apprentice scheme, which is creating jobs and bringing a new generation into the rail industry.

In her new role, she will take full responsibility for Servo’s rail division, overseeing its existing framework agreements and driving forward further growth.

Servo Group Director, Andrew McCallion, said: “It’s fantastic to have been able to promote from within. The decision to put Michelle at the helm of our rail division was a very easy one, we are delighted with the contribution she has made to the company so far, and excited for the potential growth that Servo Rail has coming under her leadership, with some huge contracts in the pipeline.”

Servo’s rail division has a high level of work coming its way after winning tenders for CP6, TransPennine and the Northern Powerhouse schemes, as well as work on the upcoming HS2 scheme.

Along with its rail division, Servo also provides SIA licensed manned guarding, CCTV, and property management services.

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Sheffield-based multi-disciplinary architectural practice CODA Studios has taken on a new director for its busy CODA Planning division.

Rob Crolla brings to CODA Planning many years of experiences with a range of companies including Inigo Planning in Leeds. He has also been a Director at Savills, SLR Consulting and NJL Consulting.

He said: “Joining CODA Planning is a great opportunity to build on the excellent reputation of the business and to move it into new and exciting areas of development.

“As CODA Planning continues to develop, I aim to capitalise on its position in the residential sector but also develop a much stronger presence in other commercial fields, including retail and office sectors.

“I am also keen to strengthen our place in the area of land promotion, working closely with planning departments and developers to ensure the success of long term projects.”

As part of CODA Planning’s growth plans, the company is also launching a recruiting drive over the coming months.

“This is an exciting time for CODA Planning and there will be opportunity for people with a similar enthusiasm for planning to join us,” said Crolla. “We are actively recruiting right now and would be interested to hear from anybody who wants to join a busy and hard working team.”

CODA Studios Managing Director, Matt Bowker, added: “Rob is a chartered town planner with many years of valuable experience across the north. This appointment strengthens the position of CODA Planning and we are excited by the many new markets he will open for us.”

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Animalcare Group, the York-based listed international animal health business, has announced that Christiaan Cardon will change his Executive role as Chief Strategy Officer of the Group to Non-Executive of the Company.

Jan Boone, Chairman of Animalcare Group, said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Christiaan for his service to the company within the executive management team.”

 

 

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