People: Vehicle leasing and finance credit broker fuels growth with six hires; Design and build contractor expands projects team; and more

VEHICLE leasing and finance credit broker Synergy Automotive is accelerating its growth strategy with six appointments in the last six months.

Founded in 2006, the Harrogate business now employs a 26-strong team after  ramping up the sales team with four new sales account managers to look after its growing customer base as well as strengthening its client services with a trainee data analyst and a trainee sales support co-ordinator.

The appointments are among a series of formative developments for the business which is forecasting to supply over £42m of vehicles across this financial year – a 30% plus year-on-year growth.

Synergy Automotive MD, Paul Parkinson, said: “Customers are the heart of everything we do and we consistently seek to attract and retain the best people who are personable, professional and combine industry knowledge with a focus on delivering the best leasing experience for every customer.

“Our new team members are instrumental in driving our goals and vision and are integral to our ongoing success and expansion.”

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LEEDS-based design and build contractor Think Utility Services has expanded its projects team after securing a string of new contract wins including the refurbishment of six student accommodation blocks across the UK.

Kevin Broadley joins as project manager and will oversee the student housing refits along with other new electrical contracting work for hospitality and retail premises.  

Broadley joins from British Gas where he worked as an estimator and project manager.

Managing director Chris Paddey said the latest appointment would allow the firm to deliver its new projects on time and budget.
 
“We are now leading design and build projects right across the UK for major retail and leisure brands and strong project management is critical to the success of these schemes.

“Kevin’s experience in project management will be invaluable to us as we plan these developments and oversee their progress. We have a number of other projects in the pipeline and anticipate further new appointments within our project management team over the next 12 months to support this growth.”

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UNITY Homes and Enterprise has appointed a commercial manager to oversee its business and enterprise centres following a major refurbishment project.
 
Adrian Green joins the not-for-profit organisation after filling a range of client-facing roles with Jay Tee Group, Bank of Scotland and Yorkshire Bank.
 
Unity currently provides 130 managed workspaces for around 80 local businesses in three facilities – Unity Business Centre, Chapeltown Enterprise Centre and Leeds Media Centre – close to the city centre.
 
Last year, Unity Business Centre and Chapeltown Enterprise Centre benefited from a £1.4m internal and external refurbishment scheme.
 
Leeds Media Centre is home to local television station Made in Leeds which went on air in 2014 and supports more than 40 jobs.  
 
Mr Green, who takes up the reins as enterprise manager, said: “Unity was set up almost 30 years ago to serve local housing needs, but is now much more than a provider of high quality affordable homes.
 
“Unity Enterprise was established as a subsidiary company in 2000 to support local entrepreneurial activity and invest in social and economic regeneration.  Our three centres are pivotal to achieving these objectives and it is vital that they function at their optimum. We can boast a proud tenant retention rate but we also want to encourage other organisations to use the excellent resources we possess including our first class conference and meeting facilities.  Exciting times lie ahead.”