1. Biz Network June 2021 1-38.qxp_Chamberlink 01/06/2021 08:57 Page 20
APPOINTMENTS
Team expansion to deliver 700 homes An expanded development team will help social landlord Futures Housing Group in its plans to build 700 homes over the next three years. It will be led by director of development Anthony Holt, who has worked in the housing sector for more than 27 years. He was previously group development director at the Deeley Group and prior to that regional director for the Midlands region of the Orbit Group. Operating across the East Midlands, Futures works with a range of partners including local authorities, developers, contractors and consultants to provide affordable housing. The not-for-profit launched its new corporate plan last year that set out its strategy for the next three years, and the new 21-strong development team will be key to identifying projects in order to reach its goal of 700 affordable homes by 2023. Anthony said: “I’m excited to be leading our new development team. We have a wide range of people from different backgrounds all sharing Futures’ commitment to building high-quality affordable housing for local people.” Also in the team is head of new business, sales and performance Helen Munslow, who joins Futures from Derwent Living. Neil Laws is the new head of delivery, while Michael Gregory takes on a new role as clerk of works. Futures also welcomes new business manager Jacqueline Messenger, performance and compliance officer Trudi Vessey, and maximisation and sustainability project manager James Dial. Group chief executive Lindsey Williams said: “Our new corporate plan aims to stretch the business to meet our customer needs in an innovative way while growing as an organisation. I’m delighted to welcome all colleagues, new and old, to the team.”
Anthony Holt
Kickstarting a career in marketing Katie Marshall (pictured), a graphic designer working in the Chamber’s marketing department, has been hired via the Government’s Kickstart scheme – which provides funding for organisations to hire 16 to 24-year olds on a six-month work placement. Katie speaks to Business Network about the opportunities the scheme has opened to her and what her role will involve. Andy Irvine and Pamela Mathieson
Shorts welcomes Pamela Mathieson Shorts Chartered Accountants has appointed Pamela Mathieson as business development senior manager. Pam joins Shorts with more than 23 years’ experience working in business development within “Big 4” firms. Shorts managing partner Andy Irvine said: “Having worked in professional services for many years, Pam is well-known and highly respected within the local business community. “She brings a wealth of experience along with an understanding of the importance of trusted relationships and we are confident she will contribute significantly to our future success.” Pam added: “Shorts has a proven reputation of excellence and I am really excited to be joining such a growing and talented team at this time in the firm’s development. I look forward to developing the role and playing a significant part in the next chapter in Shorts' story.” 20
business network June 2021
Tell us a bit about yourself? I am a 24-year-old from Chesterfield and after completing my A-levels at Brookfield Community School, I completed an art foundation, followed by a degree in illustration with animation at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since graduating two years ago, I tried to immerse myself more in creative work and I did lots of volunteering, such as photography for various organisations. I also dabbled in part-time hospitality roles and some creative freelance work. What will your new job involve? My job as graphic designer will involve supporting the marketing team in creating visual assets for various purposes across Chamber products, services and campaigns, while keeping graphics cohesive with the Chamber branding. How do you feel to have got this job? I am incredibly excited and humbled to have landed this job and my colleagues at the Chamber are really supportive, which has made settling in very easy. I can’t wait to
see where this experience goes and the invaluable knowledge I will gain from it. Why do you think the Kickstart scheme is important for young people like yourself? Getting that first foot in the door, on the career path that I want, has been challenging. Since graduating, I have applied to an immense number of jobs without hearing anything back. As if getting a job as a young person isn’t difficult enough at the minute, most employers ask for more than two years’ experience in that work field – even for the junior and entry-level roles.
‘The Kickstart scheme is invaluable for young people struggling to find work’ That’s why I’m so grateful to have found this role, and why the Kickstart scheme is invaluable for young people struggling to find work. It is a great way to break into a career path, with a huge amount of support from both the employer and Universal Credit coaches along the way.
