People: New role created at retailer; Prestigious appointment for water engineer; Five people hired at property firm; and more
Yorkshire-headquartered bathroom retailer, Easy Bathrooms, has appointed Heather Clark-Coates as HR advisor, in a new role to support the company’s ongoing growth.
The move comes on the back of 12 months of rapid expansion, which have seen Easy Bathrooms open ten more showrooms and develop its headcount by 58%, from 145 to 230. The firm says the ensuing 12 months are set to continue at the same pace of growth.
Tasked with supporting these progressive plans, Heather’s focus will be on attracting and retaining talent, across all areas of the business, while providing HR advice, employee on-boarding and training, policy-making and the ongoing development of health and safety.
Bringing eight years of HR experience, she formerly worked as a HR manager within the hospitality industry, including The Queens Hotel in Leeds.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be part of a growing business. Easy Bathrooms came very highly recommended by one of their staff members who I had previously worked with – she couldn’t praise the company enough.
“In my first couple of weeks, I can see for myself that the business’ ethos is outstanding. As well as supporting recruitment, I’ll also be working with the store managers, with the aim of forging a ‘people’ culture – which is so important for a growing organisation.”
Neil Bell, head of retail, said: “Our sustained growth is part of a well-planned strategy to open showrooms across all areas of the UK. It’s a very exciting time for the business, and we are delighted to have Heather on board to fulfil our HR responsibilities, while also focusing on the career development of our staff.”
Easy Bathrooms opens stores in Sheffield and Sale (Manchester) this month, shortly followed by Orpington, South London, taking its total number of premises to 42.
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Leeds-based water engineer, Dr Mark Fletcher, has been welcomed by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) as a new Fellow for 2019.
Fletcher is a director at the global engineering consultancy, Arup, and leads the firm’s 1,600 strong global water business from its Leeds offices at Rose Wharf.
This appointment is in recognition of his exceptional leadership inspiring contribution to the water industry, including his ‘Design with Water’ business and research strategy. This approach introduced the concept of integrated water management – incorporating blue and green infrastructure to complement conventional water solutions – into the public realm.
The Leeds and Skipton Flood Alleviation Schemes have been developed using this philosophy, amongst many other projects in the UK and across the globe.
Fletcher said: “This prestigious fellowship represents the pinnacle of my career and reflects a lifelong passion and fascination with the same water cycle that is becoming more dynamic as a result of human activity.
“Yorkshire is a region that has faced many water challenges over the years and I look forward to continuing to working with clients and communities to help meet our collective water management challenges.”
The Academy’s Fellowship represents the nation’s best engineering researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, business and industry leaders. Fletcher is one of 54 leading engineers from the UK and around the world that have been elected as Fellows of the RAEng in recognition of their outstanding and continuing contributions to the profession. Election to the Academy is by invitation only.
Professor Dame Ann Dowling, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Our Fellows are at the heart of all Academy activities and I am delighted to welcome these highly successful, creative and inspiring engineering leaders to the Fellowship.
“There has never been a more important time for the Academy to advance and promote excellence in engineering so the engineering profession can continue to contribute to societal wellbeing and economic growth.”
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Claire Paraskeva
Property advisor Avison Young is continuing to strengthen its full-service offering in the Yorkshire region with five new hires in its Leeds office.
Jay Rutter has joined the property management team with extensive experience in the discipline, having previously worked at Ryden, Broadgate Estates/British Land and Eddisons.
Dominic Knowles and Rachel Foster have both joined the team as surveyors. Knowles will strengthen the lease advisory and investment teams, while Foster has joined the land and development department, covering sites across the North East.
Noah Knapton and Michael Page have also been appointed as graduate surveyors to the restructuring solutions and building consultancy teams respectively. Page has recently completed his Masters degree in building surveying at Sheffield Hallam University and Knapton joins from Northumbria University having spent a year at Durham Council in its estates team.
Claire Paraskeva, principal and regional managing director at Avison Young, Leeds, said: “Avison Young is passionate about recruiting and retaining the very best talent, so we are delighted to welcome five new professionals to our Leeds office to assist in our current growth trajectory.
“These five new hires highlight our commitment to developing the business in Leeds and throughout the wider Yorkshire region by continuing to strengthen our service provision for our existing and future clients.”
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Jackie Didcock
Skipton Building Society’s regional manager for intermediaries and a well-known figure in the mortgage industry has announced her retirement.
Jackie Didcock has spent almost two decades working for Skipton, including winning the Society’s Leader of the Year award in 2016, and has been instrumental in delivering Skipton intermediaries strategy working closely with brokers across the country.
She joined the Society as Branch Manager in 1997, progressed to Area Manager and eventually moved into Skipton’s intermediaries arm in roles including BDM, Regional Manager and in 2009 became acting Head of Intermediaries.
After a spell with mortgage sourcing software provider Mortgage Brain, she returned to Skipton as Regional Manager for Intermediaries.
Originally from Buckinghamshire, Didcock, who has been married to Ray for 38 years, has lived in rural Lincolnshire for 25 years and has two grown up children and two granddaughters.
She said: “Skipton has really been a fabulous place to work and I’m excited about the future for the business, my team and my colleagues. I have had some really fun times and made fantastic memories and friends.
“Developing my team has been one of my greatest pleasures and successes and winning Leader of the Year for 2016 was a big achievement and a proud moment in my career.
“Skipton has really excelled at putting broker relationships at the heart of what we do. Relationships are key and by working closely with our key lending partners we are able to offer great outcomes for brokers and customers alike.
Alison Heaven
“I would not have able to achieve my goals without the support of my family and particularly my husband, Ray, and I’d like to thank Skipton’s recently retired director of intermediaries Paul Darwin who changed my way of thinking, motivated me and shared his wealth of knowledge over the years we worked together.”
Her successor as Skipton regional manager for intermediaries is Alison Heaven, who has worked in financial services for 29 years and has held a variety of roles.
Heaven said: “I’ll be looking to develop the team into building deeper relationships with their brokers, and I’m also looking to add value to both brokers and the Society.
“At Skipton we really do pride ourselves on offering brokers, and their clients, great service, products and innovations.
