People: New managing director for architectural practice; CFO steps down from listed games developer; and more

An architectural practice with roots in Yorkshire and the North East has revealed the name of its new MD.

After 32 years at P+HS Architects, the last 10 as managing director, Joe Biggs will retire from the business at the end of November and last week formally announced his successor.

In a speech to staff, Biggs reflected on his career which began in the days of drawing boards with computer time so rare that it had to be booked in advance.

Following an early career in the south with a multidisciplinary practice, the majority of Biggs’ working life has been spent with P+HS Architects where he began his long association with healthcare.

His first project was for Teesside Hospice where, working closely alongside the client, Biggs quickly realised the impact that a good building could have on patients, families and staff and the therapeutic effect of good sensitive design. Continuing along the healthcare route from that point, he went on to be involved in hundreds of successful projects from small refurbishments to major new build hospitals and health centres, all with the same commitment to exceptional design.

Commenting on his most recently completed project, The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Northallerton, he said: “It’s great to get feedback six or seven months on telling you that patients, visitors and staff find it an uplifting environment that helps them through challenging times.

“Working collaboratively with such fantastic teams, dedicated to transforming environments, has been a privilege and seeing the impact of completed schemes is a real joy.

“I’ve been very fortunate too to have the opportunity to lead the team at P+HS Architects for the last 10 years. Being a part of the business’s growth and seeing new talent coming into the profession is very inspiring. It’s time now to hand the reins to someone else and there’s no person better placed than my long time co-director Chris Dennis who I have worked with and known for the past 40 years.”

The pair met at Hull School of Architecture where they both studied for their Architectural qualifications. Previously, with an early interest in the technical aspects of design Dennis had qualified as an Architectural Technologist, a passion that has stayed with him throughout his career providing a strong understanding and respect for good, buildable and sustainable design.

Joining P+HS Architects in 1986, Dennis has led teams in the business for the last 33 years.

He said: “When I first joined P+HS I worked primarily on residential projects. Through the years, as the balance of our healthcare and residential work has fluctuated, I have been involved in both sectors with equal challenges and enjoyment; not just creating great designs but designs that are also buildable and affordable.

“Today, the split across our work is pretty even and we have built incredibly strong teams with specialisms in both healthcare and residential. We are increasingly seeing projects that encompass these two key strengths as housing and healthcare needs converge; focusing on the community and living well for all life stages including older age.

“These are exciting and necessary models of sustainable living for the future and as architects we are privileged to have a part to play.

“I’m grateful to Joe Biggs and my other fellow directors for entrusting the position of MD to me and I’m honoured to take up the challenge.

“The company is in great shape, successful, resilient and with exceptional staff across our three offices. I’m looking forward to building on the P+HS legacy of quality, design and technical skill, as we work with our clients and partners together; creating and transforming environments to enhance lives.”

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Wakefield-headquartered listed global games developer, Team17, has said its chief financial officer, Jo Jones, is to leave the company on 22 November 2019 to take up a new challenge with another business.

 Team17 has begun the process to appoint an interim CFO, who is expected to be in place by the time Jones leaves. The Board will make a further announcement in due course.

Chris Bell, non-executive chairman of the business, said: “On behalf of the Board of Team17, I would like to thank Jo for her contribution to the company and wish her every success in her future career.”

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Experienced business leaders from across the Humber are being invited to apply for membership of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Board.

As a member of the Board, they will help lead the strategic direction of the LEP, shaping future priorities, developing partnerships and securing investment from both public and private sector.

The Humber has recently attracted new major investments to the region and new jobs have been created, the region continues to build on its reputation as the Energy Estuary of the UK.

Humber LEP said it wants to see these opportunities multiply, to support businesses and residents to grow, and help make this region more prosperous. To do this, it wants to strengthen its Board by bringing in more varied and wider viewpoints.

The Humber LEP Board is private sector led, made up of senior business leaders in the Humber and senior public sector representatives. The current vacancies are to find new candidates for existing gaps on the board, rather than replace any current members.

It is currently chaired by Lord Chris Haskins, who announced he is set to stand down from the Board, A search to find his replacement is currently underway.

Chief executive of Humber LEP, Kishor Tailor, said: “Since its inception in 2011, under the leadership of Lord Haskins, the Humber LEP has made significant progress in driving forward the growth of the Humber economy.

“New investments have been attracted to the region and new jobs have been created, we have a robust partnership between private and public sectors, good governance and have made good progress in delivering to government programmes.

“We are building on these successes and have developed a Local Industrial Strategy, which we expect to be signed off soon – this will be forward-looking and ambitious strategy that will build on the strengths of the region as the ‘Energy Estuary’ of the UK.

“We are now looking to recruit two new members to the LEP Board, and seeking to deliver on our Equality and Diversity commitments by creating an environment that provides a diverse mix of views and experiences. At Humber LEP we are committed to ensuring that we can represent the diverse communities across our region.”

The LEP is seeking to increase its diverse representation and is looking for senior local business leaders operating from the Humber region and who can provide a wider more diverse perspective to our decision making.

They will need to provide a minimum commitment of six days per year

The LEP said it is committed to a diverse representation within its board and actively encourages women and people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to apply.

To apply, please send a CV with a covering letter to Kishor Tailor – The Humber LEP, 47 Queen Street, Hull, HU1 1UU, before the closing date of November 30. For an informal discussion about the role, call Kishor Tailor on 01482 485270.