People: Race Cottam Associates; EDGE; JM Finn; and more

The board of directors at Sheffield-based architectural practice, Race Cottam Associates (RCA) has been reorganised to lead the next phase of growth as the firm celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Paul Foster has been promoted from associate director to director while Laurie Cottam has become the practice’s MD after its current incumbent, David Speddings stepped into a senior design lead role.
Pauline Lake’s role as director responsible for business development and David Cottam’s role as chairman both remain unchanged.
Laurie Cottam said: “This reorganisation of our Board has been carefully planned to implement our vision for growth but more importantly, to ensure business continuity.
“David Speddings has been a familiar face for RCA clients for almost 30 years and will continue to act as our design quality champion, mentoring the next generation with his expertise in the advanced manufacturing, industrial and energy sectors.
“Similarly, as our work in healthcare has significantly accelerated, it was right to recognise and reward Paul’s substantial contribution with this promotion.
“A popular and proactive ambassador for the sector, Paul is best placed to lead this growth and ensure we remain a leading authority on design for health.
“Together with Pauline continuing to lead our education work and drive our sustainability credentials and business development, we’re confident we’ve orchestrated the best possible team to take RCA into its next 30 years.”
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Paula Atkin
Multi-disciplinary construction and property consultancy firm, EDGE, has further expanded its team following key senior appointments to its Leeds, London and healthcare teams.
Collectively, the three appointments bring more than seven decades of professional experience to the team. Paula Atkin joins as healthcare estates lead, Sophie Barrow joins as associate director, and Marc Chapman has been appointed at director level as national head of building surveying.
Operating nationally, Atkin has been appointed as the healthcare estates lead at EDGE following 22 years working within the NHS.
Her experience comes from both clinical and estate roles, most recently as senior estates advisor within NHSE Capital and Commercial Team and as part of the National Capital Assurance Team.
She will add valuable specialised healthcare insight to EDGE and will support in offering business case facilitation, healthcare planning, and estate strategy.
She said: “My goal for this new role is to provide and assist healthcare organisations in delivering their estate priorities, supporting their objectives throughout to ensure that we ease the pressure from within NHS healthcare estates teams.
“I’m pleased to be part of such an experienced, enthusiastic and versatile team – many of whom I have known and worked with for years.
Sophie Barrow
Sophie Barrow also joins EDGE as an associate director in the Leeds office and will support the national cost management service across the business.
“From her last role within an established consultancy for 15 years, she has gained expertise in key account management, extensive stakeholder engagement and guiding clients through a project and the processes that follow, with particular specialism in supporting clients in the higher education and leisure sectors.
Barrow said: “I’m really excited to join EDGE, a company that champions its people, partners and principles of delivering an exceptional service through in-depth knowledge and strong relationships.
“I’m keen to contribute to that knowledge with my experience in the higher education sector and further expand our offer for current and new clients.”
Elsewhere, London-based hire, Marc Chapman, brings an impressive range of UK and international expertise from some 35 years in the construction and property industry.
Marc Chapman
His career has covered roles including building surveyor, project manager, employer’s agent, contract administrator for a range of JCT, NEC and bespoke contract and procurement types. His technical due diligence and independent certifier roles include projects, portfolios and assets both at home and internationally.
Nick Phelan, director at EDGE, added: “We’re proud to announce the appointment of Marc, Paula and Sophie, who each bring varied expertise to EDGE, and I’m looking forward to watching them build upon and sustain the continued growth of the business from our Leeds office and beyond.
“The appointments are symptomatic of the success of our London, Leeds and healthcare teams as key areas for our business.”
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JM Finn has named Lucy Coutts as head of its York office.
Coutts, who has been at JM Finn since 2011, takes over as head of the recently relocated York office, effective immediately.
As an investment director, she looks after portfolios for a range of clients and works with the in-house wealth planning team to ensure investors have access to wider and more complex financial oversight and planning.
She is also a member of the firm’s Asset Allocation and Stock Selection committees and in recent years has become a regular dawn commentator for JM Finn on BBC Radio 4 & 5 for their Wake up to Money and Today programmes as well as on Sky News’ Ian King Live.
Paul Dyas, head of investment management at JM Finn, said: “I am so pleased Lucy has agreed to take on this role.
“Having an investment director running the office will ensure the team in York continue to put their clients’ investment needs first and with her broadening public profile, I hope JM Finn’s status as a prominent wealth manager in the north will be cemented further.”
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Leeds-based SPG Resourcing has appointed Jack Blackburn as a principal talent partner to lead the development of the company’s software development division.
He brings a wealth of experience helping companies find the software development talent they need to grow their business. He has previously worked in senior roles in Boston in the US and Newcastle.
Blackburn, said: “SPG Resourcing has a great culture and service offering that is driving rapid growth.
“It’s fantastic to join the team and lead the expansion of its software development resourcing.
“The industry is rapidly evolving, and it’s essential companies seek expert support when finding the best talent for their teams. I believe SPG’s approach brings a level of rigour that sets it apart in the industry.”
The technology recruitment firm recently celebrated its second anniversary by confirming it will see revenue hit £7m this year and rise to £25m by 2025 and plans to build on its current bases of Leeds and Newcastle with offices in London and the USA.
SPG Resourcing is part of the Solution Performance Group, which helps companies achieve their digital transformation goals by providing technology consultancy, software development and talent recruitment services.
Sam Hameed, co-founder and managing director of SPG Resourcing, said: “Our expansion plans rely on building a culture that delivers for our colleagues and customers. Jack is a great addition to our team and underlines our commitment to attracting the best talent in our industry.”