Member Article

South Tyneside design firm welcomes trio of new starters

A family-run design company has made three key appointments as it continues to build its national client base.

Restaurant Design Associates (RDA) based at Monkton Business Park in Hebburn, has recruited Connor Hickman, Ruth Boote and Gary Ekland to its growing team.

Connor Hickman takes the role of business development director at RDA, to develop new client relationships and pinpoint new target markets.

Connor joins RDA from Compass Group, where he worked for 19 years, building a successful track record in sales and operations, including marketing, brand development, retention strategy, team development and financial control.

The firm has worked with Connor over the past five years on a range of university and hospital tenders and projects.

Connor said: “I was attracted to work at RDA because it is a quality family-run business, with the capacity to grow and be responsive to market changes and demands. As a past client of the company, I will also be able to share my views about what is important to help tailor RDA’s propositions to suit the market.

“My role adds a unique selling point to RDA, as we can offer clients my experience in sales and operations as part of the design process. This means that we can, in partnership with the clients, construct intelligent designs, giving customers an enhanced experience, increasing sales, reducing costs and being an essential part of their overall strategy.

“Over my career I have been fortunate enough to meet a lot of good people that now work for a variety of companies. I therefore have a good network of people that I can discuss mutual future working relationships with.”

RDA is also welcoming designer Ruth Boote to the team. Ruth, who hails from Stockport, joined the firm after being made redundant when her previous company went into administration.

At RDA, Ruth will be designing catering facilities, both front and back of house, for a broad range of sectors. Her role will involve creating technical drawings and schedules, presentations with sample and mood boards, photography and visuals.

Ruth has a wealth of experience within the commercial catering developments field and has designed kitchens and catering areas for a diverse range of clients including schools, hospitals, care homes, hotels, cafes and universities.

Ruth said: “I knew when I walked through the door that RDA was a great place to work simply by the atmosphere within the office. I was immediately put at ease and everybody is very welcoming.

“It’s an expanding company that is going from strength to strength with great future prospects. I’m looking forward to turning client briefs, ideas and aspirations into reality.”

RDA’s third new recruit is Gary Ekland from Sheffield who joins the team as a site manager. Gary will be responsible for the day to day managing of RDA’s sites, including health and safety, and overseeing the steady progression of each project.

Gary said: “I worked for a contractor who was appointed by RDA, and so I’ve had a lot of experience of liaising with the firm.

“They liked my work ethic and approached me to work direct with them. RDA is a respected company throughout the trade and the staff are very approachable, so I’m really looking forward to a new challenge.”

Roy Addyman, director of RDA, said: “We’re delighted to welcome these three talented new employees to RDA, to further establish our reputation as being one of the leading design companies in the UK.

“This year we’ve won six contracts in the healthcare sector, at sites stretching from York to Somerset, and we have a range of other exciting projects in the pipeline including the redesign of a flagship restaurant, and a project for a large FM company.”

These contract wins are the latest in a line of national successes for the family firm, which was set up in 2007 by directors Roy and Judith Addyman.

For further information about RDA, visit www.rdalimited.co.uk or tel: 0844 873 4993

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Restaurant Design Associates .