People: Harron Homes Yorkshire; Brighouse BID; razorblue; and more

Leeds-based housebuilder, Harron Homes Yorkshire, has promoted Craig Jones from chief quantity surveyor to commercial director in its Quantity Surveying team.

Jones has been with the business for seven years, working in all three offices in nearby Colton, Morley and in the company’s North Midlands office at Barlborough in Derbyshire – contributing towards considerable growth through that period in the Quantity Surveying department.

He said: “The role requires leading a team of professionals who are determined and driven individuals, the buzz around the commercial department on a daily basis is the biggest attribute of the department.”

Jones will be a key part of work to upgrade specification and introduce the latest innovative technology at the company.

Tony Lee, managing director, said: “We strive to nurture our own talent through the ranks – Craig is a stellar example of this.

“There are plenty of opportunities for progression at Harron Homes, and the company is prepared to reward employees for their hard work and dedication.”

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The Brighouse Business Improvement District (BID) has recruited a new project manager to lead on all marketing and event activity.

Helen Holdsworth, has years of experience in marketing and event planning, bringing with her an extensive list of contacts to make next year’s agenda a huge success in the much-anticipated return of the town’s large-scale events.

The 1940s weekend, artisan markets and seasonal fairs are all set to make a comeback.

Founder of local community magazine, The Grapevine, Holdsworth has forged strong relationships with business owners around Brighouse in the 15 years since the publication launched.

She will be on hand to help local business owners achieve their visions and listen to their ideas for raising the profile of Brighouse.

Holdsworth said: “Brighouse is a vibrant business community and I’m hoping to build on what’s already been achieved over the last few years.

“The BID is all about encouraging footfall to the town through our heritage, history and independent businesses, so we’ll continue to focus on shopping local and will look at different ways of promoting the town to every generation to keep the economy booming, which is especially important post-COVID.

“The BID has a huge amount of potential. The pandemic obviously had an impact on our ability to implement events but as restrictions ease it’s vital that we support the businesses as they bounce back from a difficult trading period.”

Lesley Adams, co-chair of the Brighouse BID steering group, said: “When we started planning the events programme for next year, we decided we needed extra support from someone who is already familiar with Brighouse and has experience handling extensive marketing campaigns.

“For this reason, Helen has fit into the team like a glove. It’s clear to see that her previous experience will put her in good stead for this role; she has a fantastic working relationship with many of the businesses already and she is a proud ambassador, who wants nothing but success for Brighouse.

“With her help, it’s hoped we can develop communication between the BID and its businesses, so everyone remains in the loop with activity and we can continue to support our economy as best we can.”

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A Leeds-headquartered service provider has appointed a familiar face, bringing an industry expert to its board to drive growth in the business applications market.

Microsoft Gold Partner razorblue, which completed its second acquisition in as many years earlier in 2021, has welcomed back Chris Gill as its managing director of business applications.

Gill was a founding director of the business and has since held senior roles working within the business applications space, as well as supply chain management and warehousing.

He said: “It’s a great joy for me to be returning to razorblue, and to be given the opportunity to develop the Business Applications division. It feels very much like coming home, and the familiarity of ethos and company values will mean I can hit the ground running.”

Gill is tasked with leveraging the huge market opportunity in this field, harnessing the reach and capability of razorblue in supporting the digitisation of SMEs across the UK.

Dan Kitchen, CEO of Razorblue Group, said: “It’s great to have Chris back in the business, with his vast knowledge and expertise.

“He was an asset previously and I know he will be again, not least because in the last few years he has been developing an even wider skill set and understanding of the exact areas that we wish to focus on as a business.”

razorblue now has a headcount of more than 140, with plans to recruit over 25 additional team members in the next 12 months to support its plans to continue expanding its nationwide coverage and adding more products and services to the current offering.

As part of the new structure, Jonathan Anderson has been appointed as technical director of business applications.

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Hours of study alongside his full-time job have paid off for Preston Baker’s Hugh Roberts, as he has qualified as a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) associate and registered valuer.

Roberts, who heads the land and planning department within the Yorkshire company’s New Homes, Land and Planning side of the business, has spent the last three years working towards the qualifications, supported financially and in time off for study by Preston Baker.

Earlier this year, he was promoted to associate director in recognition of the work he has done, after being brought into Preston Baker back in April 2018 as land manager to set up a new land and planning department within New Homes and Land.

In 2020, the company’s New Homes and Land departments were instrumental in the disposal of over £80m in property.

Roberts and his team assist Yorkshire landowners in realising value in land, with a major focus on sites suitable for five to 20 homes in villages and small towns.

He joined Preston Baker from Coalters estate and letting agents in York; a company he joined through a graduate scheme. Before that he worked for Crew Clothing in East Anglia.

He said his focus now is to make Preston Baker the leading specialist for planning and development in Yorkshire.

Roberts said: “We are always on the look-out for barns and sites suitable for development and I love getting out and about meeting land and property owners keen to realise value in land and property they no longer have a use for or want to sell.

“It’s tremendously satisfying creating opportunities for people and communities.”

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