A Leeds firm of engineers is set to create jobs after a move to larger offices to accommodate demand for its services. RWO, which opened for business in 2019 in Leeds providing a range of civil and structural engineering services, has secured an additional 1,000 sq. ft. of space at its city centre Park Place site, more than doubling current office capacity. The move follows 18 months of growth for the firm, which continues to recruit for experienced engineers and other support roles, despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic. Work to support Opus North and Rougemont’s development of a new 43-acre logistics park on the site of the former RAF Dalton in Thirsk – a move that will create 650,000 sq. ft. of employment space – is among projects driving growth for the 22-strong firm, which is targeting revenues in excess of £2m in the next 12 months. Other new contracts include engineering development work for Berkley DeVere developments in Harrogate, a 200-plot residential scheme in Harrogate for Countryside Properties and various commercial projects for the Lindum Group and Hargreaves Land. Growth for RWO, which is investing in additional space and resources to support both workforce needs and client service requirements, has come on the back of widespread regional and national demand for its services. Andrew Fairburn, director of the Leeds office, said the management team will be eyeing further expansion in the next 12 months on the back of a healthy order book and investment in more skilled staff. He said: “We are busier than ever, investing to secure growth and increase our footprint with a business that’s on the rise. The move supports our strategic growth plans, allowing us to take advantage of rising enquiry levels and orders in recovering commercial construction markets and a robust residential house-building sector. “Additional space provides the room for growth, enabling the team to better serve existing and future customers. It represents the next chapter for the business, laying firm foundations as we continue to go from strength-to-strength.”

Sustainability & Innovation Experts Nick Milestone and Tim Doubell Join UK LGSF Market Leaders Sigmat Leeds based offsite specialists Sigmat have announced the appointment of two new directors to further strengthen their innovative leadership team. Internationally renowned offsite innovator and sustainability veteran Nick Milestone joins the team as Engineering Director, whilst structural engineering specialist Tim Doubell will take up the newly created post of R&D Director. Both Nick and Tim join the team with a wealth of experience across a variety of offsite disciplines and have worked across a multitude of industry sectors, including landmark projects for Blue Chip clients across the globe. With a strong focus on fast-tracking innovation within the industry, the duo will be heavily focussed on reducing carbon construction techniques as they continue to build on Sigmat’s already impressive green credentials. Engineering Director Nick Milestone said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be joining such a passionate and progressive team. Sigmat has both the resource and expertise to really push the green agenda and I am delighted to be part of this exciting journey.’ With a major project surrounding the launch of a hybrid structural building system using low carbon materials already underway, both Nick and Tim are eager to channel their experience into creating a new wave of sustainable solutions for the industry. New R&D Director, Tim Doubell, who will be responsible for driving new, industry leading solutions commented: ‘Launching a hybrid structural flooring solution is a really exciting starting point for us as a team. By integrating Cross Laminated Timber in conjunction with an LGSF structure, the concrete usage is eliminated. It’s this type of innovation that will make a real difference as the industry works towards achieving its net zero carbon targets.’

Haydn Mursell, the former CEO of Kier Group, has been appointed as chair of fast-growing Hull-based water mist fire suppression business iMist following a £4.5m investment by private equity firm Foresight Group in January 2021. Founded in 2015, iMist has developed its own range of high-pressure water mist fire suppression systems, specifically for domestic and larger residential properties. Its proprietary solution offers a number of benefits over traditional fire sprinkler and lower pressure water mist products including more efficient use of water, ease of installation and cost effectiveness. With over 30 years’ experience in the contracting, services and development sectors, Haydn further strengthens the iMist board. From roles early in his career as chief financial officer of Lendlease and deputy group finance director at Balfour Beatty, he went on to join Kier Group as finance director in 2010, becoming chief executive four years later, before leaving the company in 2019. Having operated at plc board level for over 10 years, Haydn has a broad range of financial and management skills. He is strategically minded, with a focus on growth and business performance, managing acquisitions and improving safety, customer experience and employee engagement. Haydn currently holds a number of non-executive and board adviser positions for complementary businesses within the construction industry. Haydn comments: “The need for innovative fire suppression systems which can be quickly, easily and cheaply installed in both new and existing buildings, is a major issue for the industry and iMist has a solution. The move from a sprinkler to a misting system is a natural evolution which gives the end-user a number of benefits, particularly in terms of being more environmentally-friendly as they significantly reduce the amount of water required. “IMist has a sound business model and good market conditions to accelerate its growth, along with the backing from Foresight Group to enable them to realise their vision. Managing director Tony Sims is supported by an extremely knowledgeable management team who have ensured that every relevant safety and quality accreditation has been achieved, and also established an impressive R&D capability. “I immediately like their down-to-earth, honest approach to running the business and felt that with my industry experience and large company background, I could really add value from advising on the best path for growth and overcoming some of the challenges that come with rapid expansion, to corporate governance and measuring business performance. IMist has huge potential both in the UK and internationally and I’m really pleased to be joining the team at such an exciting time.” Tony Sims, managing director of iMist, says: “Haydn has an impressive track record as an experienced CEO, CFO and board adviser, and brings a wealth of skills having worked for some of the best-known construction and infrastructure groups in the UK. Having held senior positions in residential development, civil engineering and building businesses, he really understands our clients and their operational dynamics. “Following our recent PE investment, iMist is now embarking on the next stage in its development and we believe that Haydn will have a pivotal role to play as we optimise the current regulatory opportunity in order to drive further growth and development activities across the UK. We also have ambitious international expansion plans, including targeting the US market later this year.”

Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrade specialists, SMART Balustrades, has expanded its team as it works towards its ambitious 35% year-on-year growth target for 2021 – following a record year in 2020.  Set up by brothers David and Jonathan Hough in 2017, SMART Balustrades has experienced a sustained demand for its specialist services – both in the commercial and residential sectors, and the firm’s investment in its team is testament to its commitment to its growth strategy Sukhi Bassi joins SMART Balustrades as a CAD technician and will be responsible for delivering creative and compliant solutions to difficult design challenges, innovative product development and order processing. With an undergraduate degree in Building Survey and a master’s degree in Building Information Modelling for Integrated Construction, Wolverhampton-based Sukhi is well equipped for the role following six years in the balustrades industry. Paul Heston joins the manufacturing arm of the business as production operative and will be working at the firm’s inhouse production facility in Burntwood. With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, Paul will be producing a range of SMART Balustrade products including bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, Juliet and platform balconies, and handrails. On her new role, Sukhi said: “Joining SMART Balustrades at such a pivotal time for the business is very exciting for me. The company is impressive and I like that it has big ambitions for the future. “As its new CAD technician, I’m looking forward to working with the team to streamline our business processes and maintain the high level of customer satisfaction that SMART Balustrades is known for.” Paul said: “As a growing company with excellent standards, SMART Balustrades is a leader within the balustrade industry, and being part of such a high-quality manufacturing team is amazing. I can’t wait to take on this new challenge and part of the journey.” Specialists in handrail and balustrade systems, SMART Balustrades manufactures and installs a range of products for sectors such as education, retail, leisure, and housing. David Hough, managing director of SMART Balustrades, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sukhi and Paul to SMART Balustrades as our team continues to grow. “With Sukhi in the design team and Paul in the manufacturing team, we can better serve our growing volume of customers and work towards our growth targets. Welcome to the team both.” SMART Balustrades is part of the Unitech Group, and it designs and manufactures its products at Unitech Group’s 75,000 sq. ft. production facility in Burntwood, Staffordshire. 

MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has expanded its operations into Yorkshire and the Midlands with the appointment of two new Regional Managing Directors. Nigel Robson and Ken Phillips have joined MCI Developments as the company looks to expand into new regions and markets in 2021. Their primary focus will consist of creating strategic objectives to establish its position of building high quality new homes throughout Yorkshire and the Midlands. “We are delighted to welcome both Ken and Nigel to MCI Developments. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the company and we’re confident that their combined extensive knowledge in the industry and proven track record of success will play a significant role in the company’s ambitious growth plans along with creating new beginnings and flourishing communities in both the Midlands and Yorkshire regions,” said Tim Beale, CEO at Keepmoat Homes. Ken Phillips is bringing with him over 30 years’ experience of residential land acquisition and business development within the West and East Midlands territory. As a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor his previous job roles include heading up a housing joint venture business in the Midlands for Cala Group but latterly has operated as Land and Planning Director for both Taylor Wimpey and Redrow Homes. Nigel Robson joins MCI Developments Yorkshire with over 25 years’ experience in housing and development. Having previously worked at Strata as Pre-Development Director, he has gained extensive experience in the speculative housing market both regional and national, delivering land and pre-development processes as well as partnership working with Registered Providers and private developments. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining MCI Developments during an important and exciting time for the business. Alongside growing the portfolio in the Midlands, my focus will be to expand our team with people who are passionate about delivering affordable and multi-tenure developments in the region,” said Ken Phillips. “Having spent the majority of my career within the housebuilder industry, I’m passionate about delivering quality new homes and I’m looking forward to taking the reins and delivering much needed sustainable new homes across Yorkshire, building on repeat business which MCI Developments are renowned for,” added Nigel Robson.

Southern Sheeting has appointed Ecommerce Manager Jo Morfield to lead the company’s ecommerce expansion and support the next stages of its growth as a market leader. Morfield is an experienced digital marketing manager who is looking forward to helping the business build on the recent launch of its ecommerce website. Southern Sheeting in East Grinstead, West Sussex, has been supplying building materials to trade and domestic customers around the UK for more than 40 years and is embarking on an ambitious strategy to grow digital sales. “We’re delighted to welcome Jo to our team. She will play a key role in supporting us on our digital journey, achieving our ambitions and growing our online capabilities. We’ve invested a lot of time in launching our new website. Its full ecommerce functionality allows both new and existing customers to see their own pricing, check live stock levels and purchase everything online within a few clicks,” said Tony Hobbs, Managing Director, Southern Sheeting. “Jo’s experience and enthusiasm for helping companies realise a digital transformation is just what we need to take Southern Sheeting’s offering to the next level.” Her role will involve setting-up, resourcing and managing the ecommerce department to deliver digital sales revenue, gross profit targets and KPIs, while seeking out further growth opportunities. She will also ensure that the new website delivers an exceptional user and customer centric experience. “With more than ten years of digital and ecommerce experience, I have always been passionate about digital transformation and making a difference. I love working with companies to help them on their digital journey, and who have clear ambitions, along with a desire to futureproof and grow their online capabilities, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to support them in this venture,” added Jo Morfield. “This role is vital to the company growth strategy and I believe that I will bring drive, passion, and a commitment for all things digital along with my wealth of experience. I have already been made to feel like part of the team in this friendly and family run business which goes above and beyond to look after its employees and clients. I’m looking forward to bringing their 40 years of experience and amazing customer service to the online journey.”