Member Article

Lockdown recruits feel right at home

The North’s lockdown restrictions have resulted in significant job losses, with the UK unemployment rate at its highest in three years.

Proving there can be positives despite the pandemic, a local high end residential development company has recruited four new people who faced unemployment and furlough due to Covid-19.

Sarah Carr, 34 and from Aughton, Liam Comer, 39 and from Liverpool, Elena Paul, 33 and from Appleton Thorn and Natalie Bellis, 34 And from Anfield, have joined Merseyside based The 79th Group.

A qualified solicitor, Sarah will be working as a Senior Legal Advisor after her bespoke clothes boutique in Liverpool was forced to close due to a shift in lockdown spending habits.

Sarah brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a career including both legal and entrepreneurial roles, as well as being a qualified Reiki healing therapist.

She said: “I have had a varied career, working for the family business in the transport sector, legal posts and running retail outlets in Manchester and Liverpool.

“The closure of none essential shops in March resulted in me losing my retail premises in Liverpool. However as one door closes another opens. I was attracted to the job at The 79th Group knowing that it is family owned/managed. The group’s plans moving forward are very exciting, offering some interesting legal projects!”

Elena was working in business administration and personal assistant (PA) roles prior to lockdown but had been furloughed for several months before joining The 79th Group as PA/Office Manager.

She said: “I am grateful for the extra time it gave me to spend with my family – my husband Sam, son Charlie and our English Bulldog Lola, but now I am ready and excited to get back to work. The jobs market is incredibly tough now, I know a number of people who are struggling to find employment after losing their jobs, so I am very grateful and excited to be part of a fast growing company.”

Liam returned to the UK from Singapore after a job offer fell through due to coronavirus and has since been actively seeking work. He joins The 79th Group as Marketing Manager, bringing significant experience having worked in similar roles in Asia for the past eight years – including the development of a 5-star luxury hotel and beach club.

He said: “I am really excited to join the group, particularly due to its focus on compliance, security and attention to detail given to each of its projects, from its gold mining business – Lusso Tesoro – to its property portfolio. I am looking forward to engaging the latest technologies to raise the company’s profile amongst investors, the business community, partners, stakeholders and the media.”

When not at work Liam enjoys running, mountain biking and Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu.

The latest to join, Natalie is working as a compliance manager for the group. She brings much experience, creating, managing and implementing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), auditing and reporting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and risk assessing/managing financial exposure for businesses and investors.

She said: “The 79th Group has a proven track record for successfully managing investors returns. It is committed to compliance and meeting and often exceeding the statutory regulations in place. I am confident that I can use my past work experience, people management, compliance, regulatory and auditing skills as a foundation on which I can help the group’s compliance team to grow.”

David Webster Chairman of The 79th Group said: “We are pleased to be able to support Liverpool’s / the North’s economy at this challenging time and are delighted to welcome Sarah, Liam, Elena and Natalie to the team.

“We are operating in extraordinary times. However, we are confident that if we continue to provide the property solutions in highest demand, we can develop our business and play a part in boosting micro economies through recruitment and training opportunities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .