Appointments: Britcon; Twisted Automotive; OSL; Garbutt & Elliott

BUILDING, civil engineering and structural steelwork contractor Britcon has appointed Paul Clarkson as managing director of the business.

Clarkson, who was previously operations director, takes over from Shaun Hunt who will retain the vice chairman role but focus on a number of new development ventures under the Hunt Group parent company.

Clarkson has been with Britcon for five years but previously held senior roles with ISG and Wilmott Dixon Group. He is currently the chairman of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) West Yorkshire.

He said: “After a challenging period through the economic crisis we are emerging with very healthy forward order books and business trading is returning to pre-recession levels. I am delighted to step into the role of managing director at Britcon and look forward to leading the business into an exciting future.”

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TWISTED Automotive is supporting its ambitious growth plans with the appointment of Alex Duckett as operations director. Duckett will lead the company’s expansion into overseas markets and a number of brand extensions.

Duckett, a well-known figure in the Yorkshire property industry, joins Twisted from Knight Frank, where he worked in the office agency team and compared the popular charity event, The Crypt Factor.

Twisted modifies Land Rover Defenders for lovers of the iconic vehicles. The Thirsk-based manufacturer has produced the world’s fastest Land Rover and several vehicles driven in the Gumball Rally, one by legendary skateboarding star Tony Hawk.

Managing director Charlie Fawcett said: “We have a talented team of engineers at our facility at Thirsk, whose work has gained an international reputation for excellence. Twisted has a fanatical following who engage with both our brand and vehicles. Alex is a valuable addition to the team who brings drive and experience to our plans to develop the brand across a range of new areas and support our continued growth.”

Duckett added: “Twisted is at an important and exciting stage in its development and it is my challenge to drive the growth of the business by bringing the brand to a wider audience and establishing it as one of the leading automotive performance brands in the world.”

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HULL-based consultancy OSL has appointed a new head of business development in response to a thriving project portfolio.

The gas and oil engineering consultancy has appointed Richard Drake as a chartered chemical engineer with 16 years’ industry experience, specialising in paper technology, process control, asset optimisation, and five years as an engineering consultant.

“It’s very exciting to join OSL,” Drake said. “I’m returning to the gas and oil sector after some time in the pharmaceutical industry, with the mission to broaden our technical competencies and regional standing.

“My mission is to help OSL to continually develop and grow, working closely with customers and partners whilst diversifying opportunities. This signals a new chapter for OSL, one that will draw commerce to the city and create new jobs in the process. It’s a “bigger picture” form of business development, designed to go beyond our offices and benefit the economy for miles around.”

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YORKSHIRE business advisers and accountancy firm Garbutt & Elliott has strengthened its business development team with two key appointments.

Simon Palmer, who recently joined Garbutt & Elliott as a partner, will head up the team. He will be supported by new marketing and business development manager, Peta Bean.

Russell Turner, managing partner of Garbutt & Elliott, which has offices in York and Leeds, said: “These are very significant appointments for us. Simon is highly talented and will strengthen our business development team across North and West Yorkshire.

“Simon will be working closely with Peta, a highly experienced and successful marketeer, and her business development and marketing team.  A key part of Garbutt & Elliott’s vision and values is that we communicate with our clients and business partners in an honest and everyday way.”