People: Hexa; EN:Able Futures CIC; Pace; and more

Following its expansion into the north of England in late 2022, engineering consultancy Hexa has continued to solidify its presence in the region through the appointment of three new team members.

This follows the appointment of director Richard Osbond at the end of 2022. Osbond, who has more than 20 years experience in the industry, has since been working to build the team further.

Bringing with them varied backgrounds in the industry, principal engineers Matt Freeman and Alex Hopton are now supporting Hexa’s capabilities in sectors including commercial, industrial and education.

Hopton’s experience is in building structures, while Freeman has previously specialised in sustainable drainage systems and highway design.

Freeman said: “Since joining the Hexa team in Leeds, I’ve been able to apply the knowledge I’ve earned throughout my career while also gaining new insight and skills.

“From my first day, I’ve been excited by what we’re planning to achieve. I’ve had the opportunity to work on innovative projects, such as the civil engineering design for the UK’s first Passivhaus hotel in Runswick Bay; the kind of project every engineer wishes for when starting their career.”

Balancing work and study, Usaama Yate, a project structural engineer is the third newest addition.

He has a background in various engineering realms including developing design concepts and ensuring compliance.

Having spent five years in the sector, Yate is also studying part time for a civil engineering degree at Leeds Beckett University.

The team is now based in Studio 22 at 46, The Calls, in Leeds city centre.

Osbond said: “Hexa’s expansion to the north started as a small idea and to now have an established team of five in total with a project portfolio that has grown organically, is something I am exceptionally proud of.

“We’re lucky that with our Hexa North team, we’ve all had the pleasure of working with each other before, so we have those strong relationships that we’re able to continuously build on.”

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Tasked with championing the next generation of built environment specialists, EN:Able Futures CIC has appointed former apprentice Daniel Simpkins as recruitment coordinator for its construction apprenticeships.

EN:Able Futures CIC, part of Efficiency North, is a flexi-job apprenticeship service, which takes on individuals in Northern England and the north East Midlands for either their full training or part of it, by facilitating the recruitment, hiring, pastoral support and management.

Simpkins has been brought on board to support people in securing those roles and host businesses in filling their vacancies.

He said: “There’s been a marked increase in people entering the construction sector via apprenticeships, rather than university or alternative routes, which is fantastic.

“It means people are not only able to get started on their careers faster as they’re learning on the job, but it’s really boosting the skills gap that is affecting the entire industry.”

A former level two and level three Business Admin apprentice, Simpkins later moved into recruitment in healthcare and spent five years staffing new facilities.

He added: “Having gone through the apprenticeship process myself, I was attracted to the role at EN:Able Futures as I felt I could not only relate to those that I’ll be supporting but bring my expertise – being that much more experienced now, I’m able to add real value to their time as apprentices.

“There is never a bad time to get into a construction career, as skills like bricklaying, quantity surveying and project management will always be needed – artificial intelligence (AI) can’t take those jobs.”

Currently, there are approximately 20 apprenticeship vacancies with EN:Able Futures across electrical, administration, computer aided design (CAD) and roofing.

Julie Deeley, director of operations at EN:Able Futures CIC, said: “Adding Daniel to the team is going to strengthen our services and his personal experience is a real bonus for the role.  

“We’re seeing apprentices go from strength-to-strength under our scheme and for both people interested in completing an apprenticeship and businesses considering I’d say – ‘go for it.’

“There are so many benefits for both parties and there’s a reason this route is soaring in popularity.”

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Creative communications agency, Pace, continues to strengthen its leadership team with the appointment of a new head of social media.

Conor Glavin is the latest new team member to join the Hull-based company.

He previously worked at global social media agency Social Chain, where his clients included audio brand Beats by Dre, video game company Logitech G and Jameson Irish Whiskey.

He said: “I’m excited to be part of the team. Pace has a great reputation and I’m looking forward to building on Pace’s social strengths and developing further creative opportunities to share clients’ stories.”

He also has extensive communications and social media experience – both in-house and agency-based – from previous roles.

Anita Pace, MD, said: “It’s great to welcome Conor to Pace as we continue to go from strength-to-strength.

“His insight and experience of social media, together with his genuine enthusiasm for amplifying clients’ stories, will be invaluable for our clients and the Pace team as a whole.”

Glavin’s appointment follows further growth of Pace’s senior team with the arrival of Calvin Innes as creative director earlier this year and the merger with fellow Hull-based agency Blab in September.

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Northern Powergrid has appointed Chris Murray as chair designate for the Northern Powergrid Customer Engagement Group.

His expertise stems from over 45 years of experience in the UK Energy sector.

His remits covered Customer and Employee Engagement, Network Operations, Asset Management, Change and Stakeholder Management, Health and Safety, Gas and Electricity Transmission, Gas Distribution, Regulation and Commercial.

In addition to being a three-time CEO, he has over 25 years of non-executive experience and is currently chairman at Water Resources South East as well as holding non-executive director positions at the Low Carbon Contracts Company and The Electricity Settlements Company.

He is also a Trustee Board Member of the MS Society and the Leicestershire Hospice.

Murray said: “I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to build on the excellent work that CEG chair Justin McCracken and his group have so ably delivered to date.

“Customers are the lifeblood of any business and ensuring their thoughts and needs are in the DNA of Northern Powergrid’s thinking and delivery can only be beneficial for all parties.”

Murray will work alongside current chair of the CEG, Justin McCracken until the end of October at which point he will take over as chair.