People: Advanced Supply Chain; Knight Frank; and more

Bradford-headquartered Advanced Supply Chain (ASC), part of Reconomy, has named Andrew Hill as its commercial director and the latest appointment to its executive leadership team.

Hill brings extensive experience in multi-channel retail logistics and supply chain roles gained over three decades.

At ASC, he will spearhead the strategic commercial direction of the business to support the company’s continued growth in the UK and Europe.

His career has spanned senior roles at FedEx, Home Delivery Network (now Yodel) and Collect+, establishing its click and collect concept in the UK.

He was part of the founding team at Sorted Group, which grew to be a global software-as-a-service company working with brands such as Dyson, ASOS and M&S.

Most recently, he was chief commercial officer at boutique 3PL business, 3PL.

Hill said: “I was aware of ASC and admired the business’ progress and its clear ambition for the future.

“While the business remains highly entrepreneurial, we are also part of Reconomy, which adds a clear strategic benefit and value to our customers and team, as the wider business has significant scale with sustainability in its DNA.

“With so much M&A in the logistics sector, there’s a significant opportunity for mid-market operators with size and agility to support more retailers and brands to gain a competitive advantage.

“ASC knows and really plays to its strengths in inbound logistics, pre-retail services and returns. I’m looking forward to working with the team and our customers to achieve our growth ambitions in the UK and Germany.”

ASC invested £60m into its expansion with a new European operating facility in Nettetal, Germany in July 2023.

The site provides a range of services covering pre-retail, returns processing, fulfilment, wholesale distribution, and transportation to retailers and consumer brands across Europe and the UK.

Ben Balfour, managing director, said: “Andrew is an excellent addition to our team. He understands the challenges and opportunities facing retailers and brands.

“Throughout his career, he has been in roles and businesses at the forefront of retail market shifts, driving innovation and subsequent growth.

“It’s fantastic to have him on board to support our ongoing expansion in the UK and Europe.”

Reconomy is an international circular economy specialist which enables businesses to better manage their resources, helping reduce waste, optimise their supply chains, and contribute in a meaningful way toward the circular economy.

ASC’s previous commercial director, Caroline Ellis, has transitioned to a new role within Reconomy as a key account director working with fashion brands.

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Sheffield’s Knight Frank has promoted commercial property surveyor Harry Orwin-Allen to associate and has recruited Eddie Slater to join the team as part of its work placement scheme.

Orwin-Alllen joined the Sheffield office as a graduate surveyor in 2020 and has worked with a range of clients and developers across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire office and industrial market.

He has now established himself as an industrial specialist and has worked with clients including Mileway, Logicor, Devonshire Group, CRT and Roe Developments.

Rebecca Schofield, partner and office head, said: “Harry’s promotion is thoroughly deserved he has contributed to the continuing success of the Sheffield office of Knight Frank and has successfully built a reputation in the industrial sector handling a wide portfolio of clients.”

Real estate student Eddie Slater, 20, joins the Knight Frank team as part of his degree at Leeds Beckett University.

He will work with the team on industrial and office agency matters across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire for the next year.

Slater said: “To secure a placement at Knight Frank, with its global reputation and respect, means I can apply the classroom knowledge to a real life environment.

“Even though I am from Sheffield, I am already getting to know the whole region on a much more detailed level and see how buildings and people interact.”

Schofield added: “All our placement students gain a valuable insight into life as a commercial property agent, honing both their technical and commercial skills.

“As a company we are keen to support the undergraduate work placement scheme, to invest in talent and build our future property professionals.”

Former placement student Kitty Hendrick joined the Sheffield office full time after completing a year in industry at Knight Frank during her degree at Sheffield Hallam University and is now a surveyor at the firm.

James Warner who completed his placement year last year has continued within the firm’s Valuation and Landlord and Tenant team.

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Halifax-based CorkSol, a UK distributor of CorkSol’s SprayCork material, specialising in sustainable wall coatings, has strengthened its team with the addition of Danny Tunstall, who will be project manager.

He joins from Barratt Homes, where he was a construction site manager and has a wealth of experience in the construction industry.

Tunstall said: “I was excited to hear about a vacancy at CorkSol as SprayCork is an interesting product that I’d heard about in previous roles.

“It feels like I’ll be a part of something that will have a positive effect on the construction industry.

“During my initial meeting with the company, the brand values resonated with me, and I’m looking forward to contributing to further growth as we push the business to new heights.”

CorkSol is celebrating a series of business wins contributing to rapid growth for the company in the past 12 months.

It is is currently collaborating with My Growth Engine and Pure Agency. These agencies are working towards increasing the company’s brand awareness, generating leads and growing the approved applicator network across the UK.

Chris Heaton, CorkSol marketing manager, said: “Our growth truly reflects the hard work and dedication we’ve put into the business since 2017.

“With a strong team who are invested in improving the quality of buildings in a sustainable way, we’re incredibly proud that CorkSol is getting recognition and continuing to expand.

“We have exciting plans for the future, and working with new agencies will bolster this and result in further year-on-year growth.”