People: Pure Block Management; Calbee UK; Humber Energy Board; and more
Experienced property specialist Laura Street has joined a York-based block management specialist which has recently opened a new office in the city on the back of securing new contracts across North Yorkshire.
She has been appointed as an associate director of Pure Block Management, part of the Garness Group, which recently moved a number of property businesses into new premises in Queen’s House, Micklegate.
A member of The Property Institute and an associate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), she brings more than 10 years’ experience of property management, the past five spent as head of property management at a York-based residential block management company.
Liam Parker, director of Pure Block Management, said: “We’re thrilled to have added somebody of Laura’s experience, and particularly of the York and North Yorkshire block management market, to our team.
“She is highly-qualified in this specialist area of work and hugely knowledgeable.
“Having taken on a number of new instructions to manage apartment complexes in York and across the region, we have recently moved into new offices, alongside other specialist property businesses within the Garness Group, and the aim now is to grow our customer base and bring our first-class customer service to more freeholders and leaseholders.”
Street said: “I’m really excited about joining Pure Block Management as these are exciting times for the business having recently moved into a new office in York, and having secured a number of new contracts,” she said.
“I was aware of the Garness Group, and their prominence has grown locally since partnering with Barry Crux & Company last year, as obviously that business is very well respected in York.
“More recently, in my previous role, I’d become aware of Pure Block Management securing more contracts across the region, and the positive feedback from their clients.
“I firmly believe customer service, communication and transparency is key to success when dealing with freeholders, leaseholds and contractors.
“I always work with clients’ best interests in mind, and you can only demonstrate that with clear communication, honesty and clarity, and I know that is how Pure Block Management, and Garness Group, works too.
“I bring the experience of the local market, and the knowledge of the potential issues faced, as there are many apartment complexes which come with planning restrictions or constraints that have to be considered in York especially.
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Calbee UK, owner of Bradford-based Seabrook, has appointed Martin France as sales director.
With 23 years’ experience at Mars, starting his career as a temporary factory associate in the pet care business before progressing to customer development director for the Grocery channel at Mars Wrigley UK, France will lead the sales team and strategy for Calbee.
He said: “Working in a business that owns and develops brands I grew up with has always been a passion. Seabrook crisps in particular were a regular purchase from my childhood in Yorkshire.
“I am excited by the investment from the wider group into Calbee UK and the opportunities that this brings.
“The amazing portfolio of global products that we have opens up great partnership potential with customers, as consumers seek out both innovative new flavours and formats, as well as healthier snack options.
“Joining Calbee, I can see huge opportunities for category growth, not just on the core Seabrook brand, which will always be at the heart of the business, but also the wider portfolio.
“The added value in unique, high-quality products, and the UK’s interest in global cuisines, particularly Japanese flavours, creates space for product and flavour innovation that makes this an incredibly exciting time for the business.”
Group managing director of Calbee UK, Jon Wood, added: “We are very excited to share the news that Martin is joining Calbee UK.
“His experience is exactly what we need as we focus on the next phase of our growth.
“Having worked with Martin at Mars, I know he possesses the skills, character and drive to help us on our growth journey in the UK and I am delighted he has agreed to join the Calbee family.
“With ambitious plans, we know Martin will be instrumental in continuing to build the Seabrook and Harvest Snaps brands and leverage the innovative product technologies and market-leading brands available to us through the wider Calbee group.
“Martin’s recruitment is another great example of how we are continuing to strengthen our UK team at all levels, helping us deliver on our aim to become a first class FMCG supplier to all our customers.”
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The recently formed Humber Energy Board Ltd (HEB Ltd), an organisation working to decarbonise the UK’s most carbon intensive region, has appointed Jonathan Oxley as its first executive director.
In this role, he will refine and deliver the HEB’s strategy to transform the region into a decarbonised industrial cluster.
He continues in his role as a senior manager in the CBI’s Net Zero team, but will be seconded from the CBI to the HEB for up to two days a week.
He also continues in his role as a commissioner on the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.
Oxley has a professional career spanning over 30 years, which includes substantial experience in industry, having worked in senior roles in the energy sector with bp and the World Energy Council.
He has also worked in the public sector, including leading the UKRI-funded work to develop a roadmap to decarbonise Humber industry.
Oxley’s appointment follows on from the HEB appointing eight board directors from Humber-based companies including ABP, Centrica, Drax, Harbour Energy, Phillips 66, RWE, SSE and VPI.
He said: “The Humber is the biggest decarbonisation opportunity in the UK, and I look forward to continuing to play my part in helping protect and enhance our regional industry, whilst reducing the associated emissions.
“I am pleased to have the chance to work with partners across the Humber in business, academia and local government, to refine and deliver our strategy for its transformation.
“This could catalyse multi-billion pound investment in the region, create tens of thousands of jobs, help keep the country’s lights on and accelerate the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
Richard Gwilliam, chair of the Humber Energy Board, added: “2025 will be a key year for the HEB and we are pleased that Jonathan has accepted the executive director role.
“Jonathan has the skill and experience needed to take the organisation into its next chapter, develop and deliver our strategy and ensure that we can seize the opportunity to decarbonise the Humber and transform the region into a thriving net zero cluster.”
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Public sector buying organisation, YPO, has appointed Paul Barry as head of public sector customer engagement.
In this newly created role, he will focus on developing and growing customer relationships, integrating with the procurement services team and improving efficiency of delivery.
Barry has 19 years’ experience of working within the public sector, with a speciality in procurement.
He joins the Wakefield-based organisation from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he held the position deputy head of procurement.
Prior to this, he spent several years at NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS), where he held senior procurement roles and was most recently head of ICS Procurement.
Barry said: “I am happy to be joining YPO. Everyone I have met so far has made me feel very welcome.
“I have worked in the public sector for 19 years and in my previous role linked local, regional and national initiatives together. I am excited to broaden those horizons with YPO.”
Andrea Smith, YPO executive director, added: “Paul joins us with extensive knowledge of both the public sector and procurement services.
“The expertise he brings will contribute to the further strengthening of the procurement services team.
“At YPO we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the public sector by listening to the needs and challenges faced by our customers.
“Paul’s appointment reflects this as we continue to deliver procurement expertise and support to our customers.”
