This week's Yorkshire appointments

Rik Binnersley, RWO

Leeds civil and structural engineers RWO has announced a senior appointment as it continues to develop and grow its regional and national operations.

Rik Binnersley, joins as a principal civil engineer bringing almost 25 years’ experience in residential, commercial and highways work to the role. He will focus on providing design services and advice to RWO’s regional and national house builders, commercial contractors and developers.

Currently employing 30 people and targeting revenues in excess of £2.5m in the next six months, RWO’s current clients include Yorkshire-based industrial construction companies Potter Space, ESH and Lindum, and housebuilders Harron Homes and Gleeson Homes.

Andrew Fairburn, director and head of RWO’s Leeds office, said: “As we look to secure continued growth and recruit additional expertise to support our expanding client base, investment in talented people remains the linchpin of providing top quality advice to regional and an expanding portfolio of national clients.”

Rik Binnersley added: “It’s an exciting time for RWO and the wider engineering sector and I very much look forward to working closely with the team to continue to develop the business. I also look forward to supporting our clients and helping them to grow their own operations and secure project development requirements.”

Darren Binge, Stuart Porter, Harrogate Volkswagen dealership

Vertu Motors has appointed experienced motor retail professionals, Darren Binge and Stuart Porter, to senior positions at its Harrogate Volkswagen dealership, based on St James Retail Park, Knaresborough.

Darren, 44, who lives locally and has worked in the motor trade in Yorkshire for 19 years, has joined the dealership as its Head of Business.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Darren decided to invest in his career and undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Automotive Management with Loughborough University, achieving a distinction.

Stuart, also 44, begun his motor trade career in 2013 as a technician with Bristol Street Motors, which is part of the wider Vertu Motors plc group. As recently appointed Service Manager at Vertu Harrogate Volkswagen, Stuart has now joined the Group’s Vertu Motors retail brand.

The Volkswagen site was acquired by Vertu Motors plc in January 2020, as part of a substantial deal to take up leasehold dealerships in Leeds, Huddersfield, Harrogate and Skipton, to expand the Group’s portfolio.

Darren Binge, Head of Business at Vertu Harrogate Volkswagen, said: “Having spent time getting to know colleagues from across the Group, it’s clear why Vertu Motors plc is so successful. There is a brilliant team of engaged colleagues, with the customer at the heart of everything we do.

“I feel that large businesses, such as Vertu Motors, have a responsibility to support those less fortunate in our communities, so I am in talks with a number of local good causes to see how we can work together. There’s been some great ideas from my new colleagues and I’m looking forward to getting initiatives underway.”

Kim Jackson, Hotel Rendozvous

The company now running Skipton’s largest hotel, Hotel Rendezvous, has appointed a new manager in a significant step towards achieving a four-star a rating.

The 96 bedroom hotel is undergoing changes following the retirement of Skipton business couple Malcolm and Karen Weaving. It has been taken over by global management company First & Foremost, which has now appointed Kim Jackson as Resident Manager.

Kim brings a experience having worked in hospitality and event management across the world, including spells in South Africa, France and London.

Kim said: “I feel like I’ve definitely made a fantastic choice moving to Skipton over other opportunities I was offered; it’s a beautiful place and the hotel has so much potential. I’ve worked around the world with different cultures and people, but I have to say I’ve found that people from Yorkshire are the friendliest and most approachable.

“I have worked around the world, and extensively in the UK and London. I chose to take up this role on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales because of how friendly the people are, how great Yorkshire food is and the unique scenery in this area and. It even feels as though the air is genuinely fresher! It’s an amazing place.

“My colleagues have been brilliant, welcoming and supportive to work with, especially those who have been with the Weaving family at the hotel here for many years and I like the fact that there are lots of returning guests, so everything feels very positive and uplifting, especially after the strain that COVID put on the hospitality industry.”

Louise Sprawling, Titus

Saltaire-based eLearning company Titus has appointed Louise Sprawling as its new Head of People & Culture following a period of rapid growth over the last 18 months.

In the newly created position, Louise will lead and maintain the people & culture arm of the business and will utilise her experience within senior HR roles to support and develop the employee experience strategy within the business.

Louise brings has held other senior positions including Head of HR at education resource focused Classroom Secrets, as well as HR Business Partner for EdTech specialists Frog Education.

Sprawling said: “I’m honoured to be part of Titus’ continuing growth and I know I have joined on the cusp of an exciting next phase.

“A large part of my role will be to ensure the values, culture, employee engagement and everything that attracts and retains the exceptional team stays in place and evolves.

“I’ll ensure this is at the forefront as we bring in fresh talent in newly created roles. My team and I are passionate about creating industry-leading people processes.”

Seb Francis, Co-founder and Director of Titus said “We’re excited to welcome Louise to our team; her appointment and extensive experience will allow us to retain and develop the culture which our team are so proud of throughout a period of rapid growth for the business.

“The creation of this role marks our commitment to ensuring Titus is a brilliant place to work as we scale and Louise will take an innovative role in that, focusing on our team’s wellbeing, learning and development and creating a unique culture.”

Gareth Shepherd, Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers

Leeds based Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers has promoted Gareth Shepherd and Paul Gill to the board of directors and made them shareholders in the business.

Paul joined Adept six years ago and now leads a wide range of projects predominantly across the retail and residential property sectors for clients including Asda, Sainsbury’s and several national housebuilders.

He also specialises in providing civil and structural engineering services for petrol filling stations and recently completed work on the UK’s first all-electric car charging forecourt.

Gareth made the move to Adept in 2020, after spending more than 20 years working in the civil and structural engineering consultancy sector. He specialises in leading project teams and providing engineering solutions on mixed use developments and large-scale industrial and distribution sites for his clients.

Managing director, Erol Erturan, said: “Gareth and Paul pride themselves on providing a hands-on service and being involved in all aspects of projects, which makes them popular with clients and they also play a critical role in mentoring younger colleagues.

“As a result, they are both integral members of our team, which is reflected in their new roles and Adept’s long-term commitment to them.

“We already have a solid pipeline of work secured for 2022 and we’re now looking to grow our team further, recruiting both civil and structural engineers as well as technicians, so Gareth and Paul’s promotions come at an exciting time, as we embark on our next phase of growth.”

Gareth said: “Since joining Adept 12 months ago, I have immersed myself in our clients and the varied projects we are progressing, and I couldn’t be more impressed. I’ve also come to know Erol, Richard, Matthew and Paul really well, and we share the same goals and values and complement each other as team.

“Projects like retail giant Next’s extension, which is almost 1 million square feet, at South Elmsall that Adept is delivering are what I thrive on, so it’s great to be working amongst friends with the same ambitions in terms of scale of projects we aspire to deliver.

“Adept is a business I’m proud to be making a deeper commitment to and I’m looking forward to our further success and growth.”

Adept provides a full range of civil and structural engineering solutions. These include structural surveys and reports, feasibility advice for new schemes, BIM services, laser point cloud surveying, conceptual and detailed drawings, flood-risk and drainage assessments and highway design.