PEOPLE

New HR Director Joins Kirsty Parker AluK UK Board

Six months after joining AluK in the newly created role of HR Business Partner, Kirsty Parker has been appointed to the UK board as HR Director.

This high-profile promotion reflects AluK’s ongoing commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining more of the talented people that are critical to its success and future growth.

Kirsty’s immediate priority is to design and implement new frameworks and employee-focused practices which will make it even easier for everyone at AluK to do their best work. She will also be developing a new leadership programme which will give leaders at every level within the business the knowledge they need to coach their own teams.

An experienced HR professional, Kirsty has worked extensively on wellbeing, employee engagement and digital transformation projects with other global businesses. She stressed the benefits that an employee focused culture can bring to a business: “Employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction are inextricably linked, so creating the kind of experience for our people which meets their changing expectations of the workplace and helps deliver a high-performance work culture will ultimately benefit our fabrication partners, as well as AluK.”

Kirsty Parker joins newly appointed Sales Director Wayne Heath on the expanded AluK UK board.

Building Our Skills Appoints

Mark Handley As Partnerships Manager

Building Our Skills has appointed Mark Handley as Partnerships Manager.

Formerly sales and marketing director at Consort Limited, Mark has over 30 years’ experience in the fenestration industry in roles spanning fabrication, installation, technical support, sales and marketing. He will effectively ‘be the face of’ Building Our Skills’ activities, liaising directly with employers and other organisations in the fenestration, glass and glazing industry to raise awareness of the work the organisation is doing, and to engage more support.

The appointment is a key part of Building Our Skills’ formal action plan for the next twelve months, which reflects the campaign’s commitment to bridging the skills gap, and working closely with stakeholders to attract entrants to the industry. Building Our Skills also has at its core the objective of encouraging industry employers to upskill their existing workforce, inspiring and encouraging them to see the industry as a home for their long-term career ambitions, as opposed to just a job ‘for now’.

Commenting on the new role, Mark said: “I’m delighted to be on the Building Our Skills team and part of an initiative whose objectives and activities I so admire. Like all those involved, I am passionate about the industry, and have seen first-hand over many years the amazing career opportunities there are. What I want to do now is play a major part in getting that message to the outside world as a key part of our efforts to help bridge the skills gap.”

Mark will be working hard to raise the industry’s knowledge of Building Our Skills’ various initiatives, details of which can be found on the company’s website. www.buildingourskills.co.uk

Sector Veteran Named New Sales Director At

Exlabesa Architecture UK

Exlabesa Architecture UK have appointed an experienced new national sales director to help them embark on their next phase of growth.

Patrick Burke is a veteran of the UK’s fenestration and wider building products industry and brings decades of experience to the role.

Over 25 years, Patrick has built up extensive commercial and operational expertise across the whole supply chain, covering aluminium and PVCu extrusion, windows and doors, hardware, roofline and more for both trade and commercial customers.

During this time, Patrick has worked at some of the most prestigious businesses in UK fenestration.

He is also an Armed Forces veteran who previously served 8 years in the British Army.

“I am delighted to be joining Exlabesa Architecture UK at such an exciting time in its history,” Patrick comments.

“I have been tasked with further developing sales of the company’s accomplished range of high quality, innovative and fabricator-friendly aluminium window and door systems. With several notable conversions in the pipeline already for 2022”

“Exlabesa is hugely respected throughout the UK fenestration industry and I am confident that I can help take the business to new heights in the years ahead.”

Exlabesa global director Carlos Negreira comments: “We’re extremely pleased to be welcoming Patrick to the Exlabesa team.

“Patrick is a highly respected glazing industry professional, with the skills, knowledge and relationships Exlabesa needs to continue its UK growth.

Three Members Of Allumette Group Promoted To Key Roles

Allumette Group has announced that three employees have been promoted to key roles within the group of companies, at Vertik-Al and Ikon Aluminium Systems. Two have also accepted positions on the board.

Becky Ashcroft is promoted to group finance director and has accepted seats on the boards of both Vertik-Al and Ikon. Katarzyna (Kate) Sural is promoted to HR manager for both Vertik-Al and Ikon. Kim Ellis is promoted to operations director for IKON Aluminium Systems and was invited to join the Ikon board of directors. Becky is a qualified accountant and has worked in audit for over 26 years. As group finance director she oversees all financial aspects of the business and drives the company’s financial strategy and planning and is responsible for assessing the financial performance of the company as well as possible risks.

Becky first joined as group finance controller. “I was very honoured to then be asked to be a director and hope to reward the faith shown in me,” comments Becky. “I hope to give the operations directors more detail and insight into the figures with a view to reducing and man-

Left to right – Kim, Becky and Kate

aging costs more effectively.”

Kate Sural started at Vertik-Al as an office administrator in 2019 after graduating from Aston University, before joining the HR department, she supported the HR efforts on a part-time basis. “It quickly developed into a full-time position,” says, Kate. “It enabled me to get to know every single person working for the company and to see how the company manages its workforce. These roles have given me a good understanding of the needs of employees at all levels.”

As HR manager for both Ikon and Vertik-Al, Kate’s biggest challenge is dealing with almost 200 employees working both days and nights across multiple factories and buildings. “I am not afraid of a challenge,” continues, Kate, “… and this is no exception. I think

my organisational skills and good time management will certainly help!”

In addition to providing HR support to both group businesses, Kate is currently studying towards CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management.

Kim Ellis has been with the business for over 10 years, most recently as general manager of Ikon Aluminium Systems. “I am thrilled to have been asked to join the board of Ikon,” comments Kim. “I believe that my experience, dedication and hard work since the acquisition of the company in 2017 has been recognised and rewarded with this promotion.”

In her new role, Kim will be involved in day-to-day decisions and operations. “This promotion builds on the general management role to the benefit of our customers and suppliers. In my new position I can respond swiftly and decisively to situations and further develop my team. In short, I am looking forward to influencing Ikon’s bright future endeavours.

Speaking about the promotions, John Park-Davies, director of Allumette Group says: “We are extremely fortunate to employ many talented people, and in promoting Becky, Kate and Kim, we are demonstrating there is no barrier to anyone in our business knowing he or she can reach the top of their chosen field.

“Yet it’s not simply about giving someone a new position, these roles give each of them the power to create and deliver change. They have the knowledge, skills, support, and most important of all, the opportunity, to make a real difference. The impact of these promotions will be felt professionally and personally by all members of the Allumette family, and we’re excited to see what the future brings. We wish them every success.” www.allumetteltd.co.uk Epwin Window Systems has further strengthened its technical sales team with the appointment of Neville Gleed as technical development manager for Stellar, the multi award-winning retail aluminium system.

New Appointment

At Epwin Window Systems

Commenting on Neville’s appointment, Paul Booth, design director (aluminium) at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neville to the team. He’s highly experienced in the industry and his expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow Stellar’s customer base.”

Neville commented: “Epwin Window Systems is a well-established name in the industry and is supported by a great team of people. It’s an exciting time to be joining Epwin Window Systems with its continued investment across the business to support its customers. I am delighted to have joined the company.”

He added: “I have been impressed with Stellar since its launch. It’s one of the few purposely designed aluminium systems for the domestic market without any workarounds. The unique patented reverse butt joint and pre-gaskets make it the goto system for installers as it’s so easy to fit and delivers the best in streamlined aesthetics. Plus the system was ready in advance for Part L thanks to its future-proofed design, and will be ready for future legislation too.”

Neville will be a familiar face to many because he is no stranger to the window industry. He has worked for several high-profile businesses in the sector since the 1980s and brings a great deal of insight and experience with him.

Neville’s role will be to support Stellar’s growing customer base. He will be involved with new business development and customer set-ups, helping to ensure new fabricators can hit the ground running. He will also work closely with the management teams on ongoing R&D and new product development projects. He reports directly to Paul Booth.