Thermatic Appoints Joe Lyon as CEO
Thermatic Operations Director Joe Lyon has been promoted to CEO. Joe will take over from Paul Douglas-Fleet, who is emigrating to take on a new role. Commenting...
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August’s new appointments in facilities management, commercial property and the built environment feature WPS Facilities Management, Novus Property Solutions, Gilder, Chapmanbdsp and more.

Picture: a graphic showing the headshots of: Alexandra Douglass, Lee Shone and Jayne Archbold
National decarbonisation and maintenance contractor Novus Property Solutions has appointed two highly experienced candidates to its senior leadership team, as the contractor continues to demonstrate its commitment to strategic growth and diversity.
The contractor has announced Rebecca Hart as Head of Sustain, a brand-new position introduced to enhance its dedicated decarbonisation service. Sustain offers clients across the housing sector a fully PAS 2035-compliant whole-house retrofit service through its team of highly trained experts, and is playing a significant role in Novus’ growth.
As Head of Sustain, Rebecca’s diverse skillset will develop and drive Novus’ Sustain strategy to continue to deliver a consistently high quality retrofit service to clients across the housing sector, maintaining accreditations and compliance to further build on the company’s position as a trusted delivery partner. She will also be responsible for the development of Novus’ in-house IT platform to manage the PAS compliance administration process, as well as the implementation of the in-house delivery model for renewable technologies.
Rebecca’s appointment comes as Novus continues to invest in its Sustain service, with the company also recently becoming a member of the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG).
Commenting on her new role, Rebecca said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Head of Sustain at Novus. The company was refreshingly clear on what it was looking for within this role, meaning we have been able to quickly agree the direction of travel and targets. It’s been a fantastic first few weeks at Novus, and the leadership is second to none. I have every confidence that the Sustain service will go from strength to strength, and I look forward to sharing our success in the near future.”
Novus also recently appointed Alexandra Douglass as Head of Bid Management to further support the company’s growth ambitions. Alex will work closely with teams across the business to win profitable and strategic bids that align with Novus’ growth targets, drive bid process efficiency and quality, and build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships. Alex brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in bid management for 17 years across civils, housing, and infrastructure in positions including Head of Proposals and most recently, Principal Bid Manager at Amey.
Alex said: “Novus’ position as a progressive and fast-paced business was highly appealing to me, and I’m looking forward to supporting the company’s continued growth through my position as Head of Bid Management. I look forward to collaborating with the wider team to secure key contracts, strategically position our bids for success, build on the success achieved to date, and to continue to expand our market presence. Since I joined Novus two months ago, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, which is testament to the exceptional team that makes Novus the business it is.”
Glider, a leading provider of asset information management and digital handover solutions for the built environment, has announced the appointment of Jayne Archbold as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner and Richard Farnworth as Chief Revenue Officer, marking a new chapter in the company’s growth journey.
The appointments follow Glider’s strategic acquisitions of EDocuments in 2024 and Sitedesk earlier this year, reinforcing the company’s position as a trusted partner in digital transformation for the construction and real estate sectors.
Jayne Archbold, formerly CEO at Sage’s mid-market European division and global software firms GENII and Iptor, brings over 30 years of leadership experience to Glider. She has a proven track record of scaling international software businesses and driving innovation in fast-growing technology markets.
Commenting on the move, Jayne said: “Glider is uniquely positioned to set the standard for intelligent estate management. With an exceptional team, cutting-edge technology and a growing demand for smarter building information, we have a real opportunity to scale in the UK and globally. Our mission is to empower organisations to deliver exceptional value, efficiency and sustainability through complete asset intelligence. I’m delighted to join Glider at this exciting time and look forward to building on its strong foundations.”
Joining her as CRO is Richard Farnworth, an experienced sales and revenue leader who previously held senior roles at Oracle, Axway and most recently at GENII and Iptor with Jayne. At Glider, Richard will lead the commercial go-to-market strategy, sales, marketing and customer success as the business expands its footprint.
Richard said: “Glider provides building owners and operators with a unified, estate-wide platform that transforms fragmented asset data into actionable intelligence, enabling smarter decisions, regulatory confidence and sustainable operations for every property, old or new. The potential to create real, long-term value for our clients is immense. I’m excited to work alongside such a talented team to accelerate growth and help our customers unlock more value from their built assets.”
Glider co-founder and former CEO, Nick Hutchinson, will remain with the company as Founder and Managing Partner, working alongside Jayne in a strategic role, supporting the transition and continuing to champion Glider’s vision advocating for smarter digital practices across the building lifecycle.
“This is a transformational moment for Glider,” explains Nick. “Having guided Glider from start‑up to industry trailblazer, Jayne and Richard bring the experience, energy and vision to significantly scale the business and I’m excited to continue working alongside them and the rest of the team to help shape the future of digital building information.”
WPS has announced the appointment of Lee Shone as Technical Services Director for Facilities Management, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and self-delivered engineering solutions.
Bringing over thirty years of experience in engineering and facilities management, Lee Shone has cultivated a proven track record across a diverse range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, retail, corporate and the public sector. His distinguished career includes senior leadership roles at the likes of GSH, ISS, Interserve, Mitie, and Robertson FM
This strategic appointment underscores WPS’s ambition to enhance and expand its self-delivery capability. With Lee’s leadership, WPS will further strengthen its in-house engineering expertise to provide clients with greater flexibility, value, and innovative solutions.
Lee is widely recognised for his dedication to mentoring emerging talent, driving operational excellence, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His approach aligns seamlessly with WPS FM’s vision of setting new benchmarks for service delivery and growth within the facilities management industry.
Jack Prady, Managing Director for WPS Facilities Management, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lee Shone as our new Technical Services Director.
“His extensive experience, commitment to excellence, and passion for nurturing high-performing teams will be instrumental as we continue to invest in our self-delivered engineering services.”
WPS Facilities Management looks forward to a new chapter under Lee’s direction, confident that his expertise will play a pivotal role in achieving strategic growth ambitions and delivering superior outcomes for clients.
Leading infrastructure and engineering company, Amey, has appointed Caprice Roberts as Rehabilitation Lead, marking a significant step in its commitment to prioritising prison leaver employment across its operations and supply chain.
In her new role, Caprice will work collaboratively with local communities, third sector organisations, the public sector, and private sector partners to support efforts to reduce reoffending, in alignment with the Ministry of Justice.
A top priority will be to lead initiatives designed to increase Amey’s new recruits from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2025. These programmes will also provide cohesive support for individuals with convictions, both within custodial settings and upon release into the community.
Caprice brings unique frontline experience and strong expertise in rehabilitation and social impact. Her early career as a Prison Officer and work with third sector organisations including Beam and Inside Job, gave her direct insight into the justice system and the barriers prison leavers face. This hands-on perspective will be a real asset to Amey, helping strengthen its commitment to rehabilitation and social value.
Commenting on her appointment Caprice says: “I am thrilled to be joining Amey in this pivotal role and eager to hit the ground running. Reducing reoffending is a challenge I’m ready to tackle head-on.
“Once a person has served their sentence, they should not face a lifetime of barriers, and with reoffending accounting for 80 per cent of crime, the time to act is now. Amey recognises that those in positions of influence have a vital role in rebuilding lives and strengthening communities by creating re al chances for change. We are committed to leading the way by opening up sustainable paths into employment for prison leavers, and hopefully inspiring other businesses to follow suit.”
Emily Davies, ESG Director at Amey, says: “We are really pleased to have Caprice join our team. Her experience and passion for rehabilitation bring real strength to our social value work. Enhancing the wellbeing of people and communities is a key focus for Amey. Her appointment will ensure that our collective efforts continue to facilitate positive outcomes for prison leavers and wider society, as part of our delivery of sustainable infrastructure.”
The newly formed Rehabilitation Alliance Board unites leaders from across Amey to work alongside key partners including the Ministry of Justice, Employment Advisory Boards, third sector organisations, and Amey’s supply chain.
The Board has launched targeted rehabilitation programmes to help prison leavers overcome employment barriers, focusing on young people, women, and 18–25s. These initiatives, supported by third sector partnerships, offer ringfenced roles and dedicated guidance to improve opportunities for successful re-entry into the workforce.
A key part of Amey’s approach is ensuring all staff have the right skills and confidence to support people with convictions. Amey is providing focused training to help create a workplace where everyone, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can succeed.
Chapmanbdsp has appointed Chris Kirkland as Project Director, Head of Workplace, leading the company’s Middle East commercial fit-out and corporate workplace offering, further growing its expanding team.
With over 26 years in the industry, Chris brings extensive experience delivering high-profile corporate office projects across the UK and the Middle East. Starting his career as an apprentice in Edinburgh in 1999, Chris progressed through senior roles across five companies, spending over a decade in the UAE region. Between 2010 and 2025 Chris has successfully led over 80 corporate workplace office fit-out projects across the Middle East in the capacity of Project Lead and Project Director, working with multinational corporates, government entities, and major developers.
Chris’ career has been founded on both his ability to create long-standing, trustworthy client relationships and his deep knowledge of commercial fit-outs, particularly in the Middle East. His network within the UAE’s real estate and construction sectors, built over many years, will be central to Chapmanbdsp’s strategy for expanding its workplace offering.
In his new role, Chris will focus on building on Chapmanbdsp’s strong position in the market, supporting existing clients while driving growth in the global corporate real estate sector. His ambition is to position the already established practice as the go-to MEP consultancy for commercial workplace projects in the UAE.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris said: “Chapmanbdsp already is a respected name in the market, and I’m excited to build on that legacy. My aim is to strengthen our client relationships, grow our network, and deliver workplace projects that meet the evolving needs of businesses in the Middle East. This region moves quickly, and our approach will be to combine technical excellence with agility and strong collaboration.”
Chris also sees sustainability and workplace strategy as key growth areas for the sector: “ESG is becoming a real driver for projects here, and we’re now seeing sustainability targets heavily influencing corporate real estate decisions. In the Middle East, that means finding innovative ways to meet global standards while navigating the unique challenges of the region’s supply chains and fast-track delivery models.”
Ray Upjohn, CEO of Chapmanbdsp, comments, “We welcome Chris to the chapmanbdsp team. With his impressive track record in Commercial office fit-out within global engineering consultancies, we feel he is the perfect addition to further drive our workplace offer in the Middle East, working closely with our London team to further service our clients across EMEA.”
Kings Secure Technologies (KST) is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition within the organisation. Grant Kennedy, the founder of KST group company, Quidvis has now left the business to reside with his family overseas. We would like to thank Grant for his support and wish him well for the future.
Demonstrating strong leadership and continuity, Paul Ottley, who has served as Quidvis UK Managing Director since early 2024, will now assume responsibility for all aspects of the Quidvis business, including spearheading software development and guiding the team through this important transition. Paul brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the security and risk management industry, and we are confident that his leadership will propel the business forward into an exciting new chapter.
Bob Forsyth, CEO of Kings Secure Technologies, commented, “We wish Grant all the very best as he embarks on this new chapter. The business is in very good hands under Paul’s leadership, and we are very excited by the future growth and opportunities the Quidvis services can offer our clients.”
Kings Secure Technologies remains committed to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients. We thank our partners, clients and team members for their ongoing support during this period of transition.
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has appointed two commercial property industry leaders to its Northern Committee.
Sasha Norcliffe, director of commercial real estate firm, Turner & Townsend, and Simon Millington, founder and director of Incognito, have joined the BCO’s Northern chapter in key strategic roles.
Both bring a wealth of industry knowledge and passion for workplace excellence to the committee. As a figurehead at global real estate consultancy Turner & Townsend, Sasha will help to lead on driving BCO membership by representing the Northern region as part of the BCO’s national Membership Committee. She will help drive engagement across a diverse member base and ensure the organisation continues to reflect the evolving landscape of the office sector.
As a director of Incognito, a leading design and branding agency that works extensively with developers and property professionals, Simon’s focus will be on delivering impactful events and building strong partnerships through sponsorship opportunities. He offers a fresh perspective on how the BCO will engage with its members and wider industry audiences in the North.
The BCO Northern Committee now comprises 18 industry-leaders from across the region, led by Alex Stork, regional committee chair and business development manager for the northern division of fit-out specialist Overbury.
Commenting on the dual appointment, Alex said: “A huge welcome to Simon and Sasha, who join our Northern committee as we continuously look to champion the region’s dynamic, talented and thriving commercial property community.
“Embracing Sasha and Simon’s extensive experience and know-how will bolster our ability to deliver high-quality events, thought leadership, networking and learning opportunities for our current and prospective members across the North.”
Speaking on her appointment, Sasha said: “I am delighted to be joining Simon on the BCO Northern Committee. With my longstanding dedication to workplace excellence, people engagement, and knowledge sharing, I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the committee and supporting the ongoing growth and advancement of the organisation.”
Simon added: “Throughout my career, I have always had great respect for the BCO, it’s been a leading light in the industry I call home. I am thrilled to be joining the Northern committee to help build its profile, contribute to events and help to engage more fully with occupiers to ensure we continue to create offices that are inclusive for all. It’s an exciting time for workplace design and I look forward to helping the BCO lead and broaden its influence further.”
Sodexo Live has announced the appointment of Jason Mumby as Growth Director for the UK & Ireland. Jason will lead the business development and sales functions, report to Claire Morris, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland and join the executive team.
Jason brings a wealth of experience in client development and strategic partnerships within the events, foodservice, and hospitality industries. Most recently, he served as Client Development and Strategy Director at an industry competitor, where he played a pivotal role in driving business growth and strengthening client relationships. His earlier career includes significant roles at Costa Coffee, where he contributed to the brand’s expansion and commercial success.
In his new role, Jason will focus on accelerating the growth of Sodexo Live across its event, sports, leisure and cultural venue portfolio. The business works with some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic venues and events, including Ascot Racecourse, Henley Royal Regatta, Virgin Atlantic, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The Royal Academy of Arts, Fulham FC & Brighton & Hove Albion FC to deliver world-class food and hospitality experiences.
Claire Morris, CEO, Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland said: “I am delighted to welcome Jason to the team at such an important moment for our business. His extensive experience and proven track record in client development will be key to driving our growth mindset, strengthening our market presence, and enhancing our sales strategy. Jason’s leadership will help us build on the strong foundations laid by our talented team, who have shown outstanding commitment throughout this past year.”
Jason Mumby, Growth Director, Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland added: “Joining Sodexo Live at this exciting stage is a fantastic opportunity. The business has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional experiences at some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic venues. I’m looking forward to working with the team to expand our reach, strengthen client partnerships, and bring innovative, insight-driven solutions to the live events and hospitality sector.”
Sodexo Live supports some of the world’s most iconic sports clubs, events, and stadia. Internationally, it delivers major events such as Roland Garros, the Tour de France, the Miami Open, and various Grand Prix races. It also manages venues like the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, and prominent stadiums across the USA, including the Hard Rock Stadium (home of the Miami Dolphins) and T-Mobile Park (home of the Seattle Mariners).
Picture: a photograph of a desk that shows a close up of two people looking at a person's CV. A third person sits opposite. Image Credit: Unsplash
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 26 August 2025
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