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Business & Economy

Raft of internal and external appointments signals confidence in future business growth

National award-winning Hodgson Sayers, has revealed a number of senior appointments in varying positions across the business.

Michael Castling and Stuart Ford join as contract managers, Gary Branninghan has been appointed business development manager, Jessica Herron joins as an admin apprentice, Ashley Dickie and Jack Franklin are the company’s first management apprentices and Brain Turnbull has been appointed as project manager.

Renowned across the North East for its commitment to progressing the careers of its workforce, a number of internal promotions have also been announced. Peter Condren steps up to operations manager and Julian Gibson and Chris Ingham join Alan Harrison and Darren Ellis as contracts managers. Meanwhile, Tim Read has been appointed estimator/quantity surveyor, Kin Ma, BIM & ERP systems integrator, James Rolt, SHEQ manager and Mark English metalwork manager.

Brian Turnbull returns to the North East after nearly 30 years, having forged a career as a project manager in Berkshire for the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). Brian, who hails from Jarrow and now lives in Darlington, brings a wealth of project management and construction experience to his new role.

Brian, said: “I have had a vast and varied career and really enjoyed my time working at AWE but I wanted to return to the North East as I missed the people, the passion and the culture.

“In addition to developing warheads, the AWE had a construction arm in which I was heavily involved. In returning to the region I decided to target the construction sector and identified Hodgson Sayers as a company I wanted to work for.

“I met with managing director, John Sayers and executive chair, Billy Hodgson and was delighted to be appointed project manager. I like what the company stands for and how it lives up to its core values of honesty, decency and integrity.

“I work with a ten-strong team reporting into operations manager, Peter Condren, with responsibility for the planning, design, and execution of projects. Every day is varied.

“It is an exciting time to join Hodgson Sayers, it is fast-paced and a company which has a nice blend of youth and experience to shape it going forward.”

Peter Condren, operations manager, said: “I have been at Hodgson Sayers for 17 years. I started as an apprentice brick layer and with hard work and the right opportunities, I have achieved the role of operations manager.

“Hodgson Sayers has a strong sense of loyalty to its people and I am a great example as to how far you can go with the right mindset and positive commitment to the company and its customers.”

John Sayers, managing director at Hodgson Sayers, which, in 2015, was crowned national company of the year by the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “I am proud to announce a number of strong internal promotions that reflect the hard work and commitment of individuals who have progressed through the company.

“They are evidence to younger members that the opportunities are there to grab with both hands if you build your knowledge.

“We are equally delighted to welcome new members to the team who are innovative and bring fresh ideas and modern working practices that complement tried and tested practices. For example, in the case of Brian Turnbull, we are bringing an experienced player back to the North East and with him comes a wealth of industry experience which can only benefit younger members of the team.”