This week's North East appointments: Featuring Artech, CENE & Agilia

This week’s round up of North East appointments includes Artech, CENE & Agilia. Read on to find out more.

Sean Renforth, Artech

ONE of the region’s fastest growing manufacturers has secured another impressive hire. Artech Lighting has recruited new regional sales manager, Sean Renforth, to its Durham City HQ, who follows recent appointees sales director, Sean Kirkland, and his brother, Daniel Renforth, also regional sales manager, through the door.

With over three decades’ experience in the lighting industry, Sean brings with him a wealth of experience working at the cutting edge of lighting design and innovation. The new role will see Sean, cover the North East region while Daniel concentrates on building the North West and Yorkshire regions.

Sean joins Artech from Whitecroft Lighting, for which he worked for over 20 years, and is relishing the opportunity of a new challenge. “The whole company has a fresh approach to how it conducts business and engages with customers, offering a bespoke service that ensure every lighting solution we deliver, is tailored to the specific requirements of that project,” he added.

Sales director, Sean Kirkland, said: “Sean and I worked together for many years, and I’m delighted with his appointment. He brings a wealth of industry experience and knowledge that will only add further fuel to Artech’s growth.”

Chelsea Corbet, CENE

Constructing Excellence in the North East (CENE) has appointed former Metnor employee, Chelsea Corbett, as sector administrator. Chelsea began her career at Metnor as an office junior, progressing to health and safety administrator during her 18-year period at the company.

She was made redundant when the company collapsed, in February. Chelsea brings a wealth of experience of the construction sector and, in her new role, will manage administration across CENE’s four sector themes: Climate, Value, People and Innovation.

The organisation works with a vast range of construction companies, from small local firms to large national brands, to help them improve their business performance. It provides a range of services, including training and development, health, safety and wellbeing information, industry advice and support.

Chelsea Corbett, said: “I have been welcomed with open arms and look forward to meeting more of the team and assisting members with enquiries. I am sure I will be able to make a positive contribution and excited to delve deeper into my new role.”

Catriona Lingwood, chief executive, CENE, said: “As an organisation that is so invested in the performance of construction within the North East, it is always upsetting to see a business collapse. The ripple effect is felt by many within the supply chain and the consequences for those that are made redundant can be vast. Chelsea has been able to stay within the sector and will be a great asset to CENE and our members.”

James Stewart, Agilia

As part of the reconstitution of the business, Agilia, has appointed James Stewart as its new Chair. James succeeds Fred Maroudas, who remains as part of Agilia’s senior team as a senior adviser.

The Agilia Employee Ownership Trust, which now becomes Agilia’s majority shareholder, will be chaired by Anne Tiedemann, who has more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and operational management working in markets including the US, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

Agilia was advised by EOT specialists RVE Corporate Finance on all matters relating to the creation of the Agilia Employee Ownership Trust.

Mike Pugsley joint managing director and co-founder of Agilia, said: “Amar and I are both proud of what we have achieved to date, and our change in ownership structure has been prompted by a desire to ensure that we embed a long-term sustainable structure for the business.

Amar Qureshi, joint managing director and co-founder, said: “We are also, of course, delighted to welcome James Stewart as our new chair and Anne Tiedemann as our independent chair of Agilia’s Employee Owned Trust, and look forward to working with them to ensure Agilia remains focussed on delivering for our clients in accordance with our collective values.”

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By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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