People: JPG Group; MD Law; Fulcrum; and more

Leeds and Birmingham-based engineering consultancy, JPG Group, has appointed David Allwood as managing director of the business.

He has been a director with JPG since 2018 and takes over the role from Chris Harding who moves to a consultancy role after nearly 15 years managing the business.

Chris Harding said: “Independence is one of the key drivers for the JPG team and it has been a great pleasure to guide the business to this next step in our internal succession planning.

“David has a wealth of industry experience and knows the business well and I am pleased to offer him my personal congratulations and to wish him every success for the future.”

A chartered structural engineer with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and commercial property sector, Allwood joined JPG as project engineer in 2007.

He gained significant international experience in the Middle East region where he lived and worked to establish the JPG office in The Sultanate of Oman as country manager.

He is highly experienced with a proven track record in the delivery of complex schemes from conception which include commercial, retail, leisure, education and industrial projects.

Allwood said: “JPG has a proud heritage which spans nearly 40 years and I am thrilled to take up this new role, leading JPG into the next exciting chapter in our history.

“We have a fantastic business, and our can-do approach places us at the forefront in developing the built environment nationwide. I look forward to supporting the team on our continued successes.”

Established in 1988, JPG currently employs 45 people within its Leeds and Birmingham locations and provides civil and structural engineering consultancy services for clients throughout the UK.

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Sheffield’s MD Law has secured experienced solicitor Lindsey Gaimster to launch and develop its new employment law division.

The Broomhall-based firm, which was set up nine years ago by Matthew Dixon, has now grown to 20 employees and acts for professionals, businesses and individuals on corporate law, business recovery, insolvency, litigation and commercial property matters.

MD Law’s newest service will offer advice on all aspects of employment law, HR and employee management.

Gaimster, who has worked with a wide range of companies across South Yorkshire through senior roles at Sheffield and Doncaster law firms, brings employment specialisms for businesses including redundancies, restructures, director exits, business transfers, contract reviews and asset acquisitions.

She said: “I will be covering all aspects of employment law, firstly looking at the needs of MD’s current and established commercial clients and bringing my strong business development skills from my previous role to further the firm’s offering.

“I have worked with the MD Law team for a number of years, and what attracted me to join them was not only do they have great clients and a great ethos, but how they work aligned with my values, and within this industry sometimes that can get lost.

“Their reputation, how they deal with other professionals in the industry and how they look after their staff really fitted with my way of working. I look forward to helping grow the team and bring this new discipline to the practice.”

Gaimster, who qualified in 2012, was a founding member of the Doncaster Junior Lawyers Division and served as the national representative for a number of years.

MD Law partner Matthew Dixon, said: “Lindsey brings more than 10 years experience in employment law and will look to quickly develop this side of the business.

“Previously we have outsourced this work, but as our commercial client base grows, and improves, it made sense to keep this work in the practice.

“Lindsey’s skills in providing easy to understand advice, no matter how complex the situation, and her down to earth and friendly approach, will mean our clients’ cases will be dealt with both professionally and efficiently. I welcome her to our team of 20 here now.”

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Fulcrum, a Sheffield-based multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, has continued to bolster its senior team with the recruitment of industrial and engineering sales specialist Richard Watkins.

Appointed as head of sales for Fulcrum’s multi-utility operations, he brings more than 25 years of business development experience across a range of markets.

He joins Fulcrum as the Sheffield-based company continues to grow its presence in the Housing and Industrial & Commercial (I&C) markets and leads the company’s specialist Industrial, Commercial and Housing team of Business Development Managers.

Watkins joins from CBRE, one of the world’s largest facilities management companies where, as head of projects, he was responsible for the management of the Aviation capital projects team working with blue chip customers including British Airways, Gatwick Airport and Boeing.

Prior to CBRE, he built a strong track record in the electrical engineering, main contracting and building services sector, working for organisations including Skanska and Morgan Sindall.

He said: “I was attracted to Fulcrum because of its strong reputation and its clear commitment in  delivering greater  value solutions to its customers across multiple sectors.

“The company is in a great position to meet the growing demand in the Housing and Industrial & Commercial markets for reliable, efficient, and customer focused infrastructure solutions.

“Bringing my experience of working with top tier contractors, consultants and end user customers, I’m excited to build long-term client relationships that align to our values and recognise the benefits of working with a business like Fulcrum.”

Tom Overfield, divisional director, said: “Richard brings a wealth of experience, particularly in working with clients in identified growth markets for Fulcrum, and has a proven track record of growing businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to corporates, with great success.

“His expertise will support Fulcrum to continue to expand in the Housing and I&C markets as well as emerging sectors that are growing rapidly and where our services and expertise can provide significant benefits.

“We’re thrilled to have Richard on board as we drive our ambitious growth plans forward.”

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Members of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board

Following the General Election, the recently elected MP for Stocksbridge & Penistone, Dr Marie Tidball, has joined the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board as the new co-chair alongside current co-chair, Yuri Matischen.

Tidball said: “I’m excited to be part of the Town Deal project in my home constituency and make a positive difference to local residents and businesses.

“I am already enjoying working with the Board to successfully deliver the ambitious new vision for the future of Stocksbridge and look forward to strengthening the involvement of the local community.”

Progress on phase one projects in a £24.1m investment for Stocksbridge was a key focus of discussion at the latest Town Deal Board meeting.

Projects include Stocksbridge 519, a planned new landmark building designed to anchor the regeneration of Stocksbridge town centre, which has been approved by Sheffield City Council. Work is progressing and is now in the contractor tender stage.

Matischen, said: “This is an exciting time for Stocksbridge, with projects now firmly in the next stage of development.

“The Board looks forward to working with Marie to deliver against phase one projects currently underway.

“Work behind the scenes getting us to this point has been extensive as we make progress to revitalise and reinvigorate the town.

“The priority of the Board remains clearly focused on investing in the local area to drive the sustainable economic regeneration of Stocksbridge, which will create long-term benefits to skills, jobs and growth opportunities.”

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