People: Solutionize Global; Avant Homes; Tyr Law; and more

Dell Technologies’ former executive, Riaan de Klerk, has been appointed chief digital officer for technology solutions and services provider, Solutionize Global.

Following a career spanning more than 25 years in the tech industry – 15 of which have been as a senior figure for Dell Technologies – he brings business transformation, systems integration, and consulting experience to the firm that is set to nearly double its turnover to £75m by the end of 2020.

Joining during the latest 2020 UK lockdown, de Klerk believes Solutionize Global is perfectly placed to help enterprises diversify their business models and provide more digital-first systems and products throughout the economic recovery – and beyond.

He said: “It’s not often you get to work in a company as dynamic as Solutionize Global. I’m energised about the future and it’s a great honour to be part of an innovative and creative problem-solving organisation.”

“Dell Technologies is a tremendous company and I’ve learnt a lot from my time there.

“It’s an organisation that’s taught me to be humble, hungry to learn and to always be helpful by staying focused on what customers need.”

de Klerk added: “In crisis, many firms are looking to preserve cash and adapt their IT platforms and solutions to cope with immediate demand – pivoting their IT and business models where necessary.

“Enterprises should now be taking a deeper look at their end-to-end digital journey and identifying when they must start to bring their product development, marketing, and IT functions together, so they can effectively digitise, and evolve, online.

“Most mainstream players now have a strategy around As-A-Service that customers should consider taking advantage of.

“I anticipate that cloud, 5G, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and security will all be given more prominence as the industry continues to converge.”

Solutionize Global, a Dell Technologies Gold Partner, has recently implemented a ServiceNow® Customer Service Management platform to provide operational excellence with streamlined processes and smarter digital workflows.

This further supports the team’s new SD-WAN managed services – set to be unveiled this month – using technologies from companies including Dell Technologies and VMware.

Solutionize Global CEO, David Bentley, added: “From the first time I met Riaan, I was impressed with his ability to focus on the real issues that customers continue to face in a landscape that’s constantly changing.

“He’s a natural problem-solver with an impressive technical ability, and I knew he’d be a great fit to support our future.”

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Chief executive officer of Avant Homes Group Limited, Colin Lewis, has announced his intention to retire as of 30 April 2021.

This is in accordance with a succession plan introduced in 2019.

Lewis, who has been with the company since 2010, will continue his association with Avant, serving as non-executive deputy chairman for one year following the date of his retirement.

His successor will be Mark Mitchell, who will move from his current position as chief operating officer and take up his new role on 1 May 2021.

Mitchell has been with the business since 2001, having joined as a trainee quantity surveyor.

He held many posts as he moved through the business, most notably regional managing director of the Yorkshire region and group operations officer before taking up the role of chief operating officer in 2018.

In addition, the Board has announced the appointment of Scott Varley to the role of group operations officer from 1 May 2021.

Varley joined the company in 2006, and, like Mitchell, has come through the Avant ranks before taking up roles of regional managing director in both the North East of England and Scotland, and more latterly as divisional managing director, covering those regions together with the Midlands.

Paul Bridges, chairman of Avant, said: “Colin has been an outstanding chief executive officer and, in leading Avant, has fulfilled the shareholders’ vision for the company, whilst creating a springboard for future growth in its chosen markets.

“We cannot thank Colin enough for his dedication, passion, strategies and motivation that he has given Avant over the past almost 11 years.

“We wish him well in his retirement; thank him warmly for his outstanding service; and are hopeful and excited for the next chapter in the Avant story.

“As an integral part of his own succession plan, Colin has worked very closely with Mark, having identified his talent and potential within his first few months of joining in 2010.

“Since then Mark has become an important and increasingly leading part of the wider team which has delivered the transformative performance in Avant, especially over recent years.

“I am sure Mark will provide continuity in the implementation of our business plan of growth in the north of the UK.

“Scott has similarly played an important role in the development of Avant, bringing his very personal style of management and leadership to the benefit of those regions in which he has participated.”

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Leeds-based commercial law firm, Tyr Law, has continued its growth with the recruitment of partner, Laura Salvati.

Salvati was previously a partner at Schofield Sweeney and joins the wider litigation team at Tyr Law.

She specialises in property related disputes and has substantial experience of estate management for both landlords and tenants, with a particular focus on the retail sector).

She also assists property investors and developers, large institutional landlords, national retailers and owner managed businesses with a wide range of disputes.

Salvati is the third partner to join since April, as the firm continues to grow, even in the current climate.

Partner, Alistair Kennedy, said: “We are attracting the highest quality work and clients locally, nationally and internationally.

“Our litigation and commercial property teams are very strong and are gaining wider recognition.

“Laura is a great addition, with her expertise complementing both teams, as well as bringing an excellent following in her own right.

“We are delighted to have Laura join and we continue to strive to attract lawyers who understand and buy into our focus and commitment to providing excellent legal advice and outstanding client service.”

Salvati added: “I am delighted to have joined the team at Tyr Law which is a great fit for my clients.

“The calibre of lawyers and their client base really is impressive and their commitment to growth and excellence is clear.

“Tyr’s ethos of delivering high quality client focused advice is one which I am sure will enable the firm to go from strength to strength and I am looking forward to being a part of this.”

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Leeds-based Oakapple Renewable Energy (OARE) has appointed Stuart Gentry as its head of business development.

Gentry, who has worked in building services since leaving college and has specialised in renewable technology for the last 12 years, will spearhead OARE’s ambitious expansion plans.

His focus is primarily on securing large scale multiple technology projects that will assist clients in chasing their carbon goals by deploying smart equipment and controls within energy efficiency projects.

David Cockayne, a director of OARE, said: “2020 has been a long and challenging year, but it has had its silver linings, and for us that has been the significant rise in the numbers of businesses seeking to take big steps towards achieving their carbon goals.

“As a result, we near the end of the year in a far stronger position than we began it, and with Stuart’s appointment we have secured the services of an industry expert who can help us make the most of what the Government has described as a green industrial revolution.”

In his career to date, Gentry has specialised in delivering energy saving contracts, including Power Purchase, Lease, and Gain Share, and his experience covers industrial and commercial clients in both the public and private sectors.

He has worked extensively with utilities, rail, manufacturing and facilities management companies, as well as with a significant number of local authorities.

Gentry said: “Net Zero and carbon / energy efficiency as a sector is now a maturing and much more widely understood proposition.

“Its mixture of technology and other enabling factors, like Power Purchase Agreements, will ensure that over the next 20 to 30 years businesses like Oakapple Renewable Energy will deliver on the carbon targets set by its client base and their consultants.”