People: Two hires at chartered surveyors; Non-exec chairman retires at listed clean fuel business; and more

Leeds-based chartered surveyors Carter Towler has strengthened its growing Investment and Valuation departments with the appointments of Jacques Esterhuizen and Brett Harrison.

Esterhuizen, who has over 10 years’ experience in the investment and industrial markets, has been appointed as a director and will head Carter Towler’s Investment team.

Ian Greenwood, Carter Towler’s managing director, said: “We have worked with Jacques on deals many times before and have wanted him on our side for a while now.

“I am delighted he has chosen to join us, he has established an excellent reputation and I know he will make a fantastic contribution to expanding the reach of our investment services.”

Previously an associate director with Cushman & Wakefield, Esterhuizen has been instrumental in a number of high profile investment deals including an NHS Sale & Lease back of 121 staff resident apartments on behalf of AEW, a 200,000 sq ft distribution warehouse on the Bradford Euroway Industrial Estate for a local authority and the Yorkshire BBC Headquarters in Leeds on behalf of Columbia Threadneedle.

“We have also appointed Brett Harrison as an Associate in our Valuation team,” added Greenwood.

“Brett has gathered some very valuable commercial, retail and leisure sector valuation experience working for Colliers and Jones Lang La Salle which we are looking forward to maximising.

“In the last six months we have successfully concluded a number of large investment deals with leading institutional investors and pension funds. These two new appointments will help us ensure that we continue to provide our clients with highly effective investment and valuation services.”

Carter Towler employs 50 people and is acknowledged as one of the most commercially active property companies in the North.

Over the past 12 months the company has been involved in over 300 industrial, commercial, investment, property management and building services deals and currently manages over 3,500 properties for its clients nationwide.

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Sheffield-based listed energy storage and clean fuel firm ITM Power said Professor Roger Putnam has decided to retire from his role as non-executive chairman of the company.

He did not stand for re-election at yesterday’s AGM and has ceased to be a director of the company. Sir Roger Bone, an existing non-executive director of the company, was appointed as the new chairman.

Prof Putnam said: “Following nine years as chairman of ITM Power, I have decided that now is the right time to step down from the role.

“The company has been transformed since I first became chairman and, following the recently completed fundraising and joint venture with Linde, is in as strong a position as it has ever been.

“I wish Sir Roger, the Board and the ITM Power staff all the best over the coming years.”

Sir Roger said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Roger Putnam for all that he has done for the company over the years and for his highly valued leadership of the company during his tenure as chairman.

“I am delighted to be appointed as the new chairman at this exciting time for the company.”

Dr Graham Cooley, chief executive officer of ITM Power, said: “On behalf of everyone at ITM Power, I would like to thank Roger for an outstanding contribution to the company and to the hydrogen Industry.

“His influence has contributed to a significant reappraisal of hydrogen as a fuel and as an energy storage medium.  All of us at ITM Power thank him for his hard work and wish him a long and happy retirement.”

The business has today confirmed the appointment of Juergen Nowicki, currently senior vice president commercial & CFO of Linde Engineering, as a non-executive director of ITM Power with effect from 1 November.

He leads Commercial activities at Linde Engineering for Linde plc. He joined Linde in 1991 as internal auditor and subsequently held different positions in Finance & Controlling.

In 2002 he was appointed CFO Linde Gas North America, USA, and was named head of finance & control for The Linde Group in 2006. He assumed his role as managing director Linde Engineering in 2011 and was appointed speaker of the Board of Linde Engineering in 2015.

Prior to joining Linde, he served as organisation & application advisor for Delta Systemtechnik, Germany. Nowicki holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the Board as a non-executive director following the Linde Engineering acquisition of a 20% stake in ITM Power.

“Together with the newly established joint venture with Linde, ITM Power will continue to play a leading role in green hydrogen.”

Sir Roger said: “On behalf of the ITM Power Board, I welcome Juergen as a non-executive director whose financial, strategic and technical experience will add significant value to the business.

“Juergen’s appointment strengthens the communication between ITM Power and our largest shareholder Linde Engineering and we all look forward to developing a very close working relationship in the coming years.”

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Filtronic, the Shipley-based designer and manufacturer of antennas, filters and mmWave products, confirmed that the company has agreed with Rob Smith that he will be resigning from his position as CEO after five years with the firm, with immediate effect.

Reg Gott, existing chairman of Filtronic, will become executive chairman of the Group whilst the company conducts a comprehensive search for its next chief executive. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Smith said: “I have greatly enjoyed my five years at Filtronic. It has been full of challenges with never a dull moment.

“However, having seen the company through a difficult past year and into clearer waters, I believe now is the time for me to seek fresh opportunities and to hand the baton over to someone else to take the company forward from here.”

Gott said: “The Board would like to thank Rob for his support and dedication over the last five years, particularly during a very challenging last year for the company.”