Experienced director appointed at strategy and project management firm

Leeds-based strategy and project management consultancy, GenNorth, has celebrated the start of its second year in business with the appointment of Helen Nicol as director.

She brings over 25 years of experience in business transformation, change management and strategic workplace consultancy, and will work alongside founding director Richard Shaw, building on a partnership of complementary skills.

In addition, management consultant and entrepreneur, Karl Milner has bought a stake in the business and will work alongside Helen and Richard to grow and develop the firm’s offer in key target markets.

In particular, Milner’s experience of the NHS at executive level combined with Nicol’s and Shaw’s expertise in estate planning and project delivery will provide a compelling offer to the market, with a particular interest in driving innovation and carbon reduction at an organisational level.

GenNorth launched in August 2021 as a new advisory firm focusing on the property and construction industry in three service areas: Advisory; Programme & Project Management; and Workplace Consultancy.

The addition of Nicol and Milner maintains this focus while building depth and expertise to the portfolio of services on offer.

Nicol said: “I am and always will be, passionate about supporting organisations through their individual change journeys.

“The combination of advisory services and the broad reach of our associates and specialist matter experts, enables us to provide genuinely tailored and targeted property and workplace advice to our clients. Exciting times ahead.”

Milner said: “Every NHS Board member I meet will tell me that Estates is the key to delivering carbon, financial and even staff satisfaction targets at pace – yet few can describe how they are going to support their already pressed Estate teams to plan or deliver these vital targets.

“Estates need a step-change not incremental-change. GenNorth offers the NHS the complete package – from developing a vision to implementing that strategic intent.

“I believe this targeted offer and this team to be unique; it complements the work of Project Rome – and that’s why I was pleased to invest in Richard, Helen and this proposition.”

Shaw added: “I couldn’t be happier that Helen and Karl have decided to be part of the story of GenNorth.

“Having worked with Helen for some time, including recently undertaking an options appraisal to identify a new workplace solution for the Leeds CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group), we know how each other works and that our skills and experience complement each other really well.

“Having got to know Karl over a period of time the opportunity to be able to tap into his expertise was one not to be missed, particularly as he has also successfully worked with Helen for some time.“