This week's London appointments

Charles Davies, Hyperoptic

Gigabit broadband provider Hyperoptic has appointed Charles Davies to its executive team.

As managing director ISP, Charles will help steer the company on its next phase of growth, which will see it invest £500m over the next three years.

Charles will use his 20 years’ experience in building digital-led tech and entertainment brands to develop and implement a best-in-class customer experience programme at Hyperoptic.

CEO Dana Tobak said: “As the leader in bringing gigabit fibre to the UK, we needed to bring in a proven brand champion to help scale our customer organisation.

“I look forward to his energy, focus on the customer, and his stellar record of working with high growth organisations to take us to the next level.”

Charles commented: “To lead a new category in connectivity is going to depend on Hyperoptic’s ability to showcase and differentiate its service on a national level.

“The possibilities that come with mainstream availability of full fibre are endless. The next generation of innovation will be unlocked when IoT devices and next-generation apps can be seamlessly connected to the smart home.”

Ken Malpass, Office Principles

Design, fit-out and workplace consultancy Office Principles has added to its team with the appointment of business unit director Ken Malpass.

The company has fitted out more than 660,000 sq ft of office space during the last two years, with a strong focus on projects designed to RIBA stages two and three.

Office Principles is expecting to benefit from this rising trend and grow its market share with Ken on board.

Cyril Parsons, joint MD at Office Principles, said: “Detail and build is far more prevalent across the wider industry at the moment with many architects happy to pass their projects to the main contractor to finish at an earlier stage.

“We are expert at design co-ordination and have a track record for ensuring that the transition is seamless and that cost certainty, project delivery and health and safety is maintained.”

Cyril added: “Ken is highly experienced in these projects and his input will be crucial as we move towards significantly increasing our share of this market.”

Ken, who has worked in the fit-out industry for nearly 20 years, commented: “This is a strong, established team that is incredibly passionate about what it does and is keen to execute very clear growth strategies going forward.

“It’s great to work with like-minded individuals who are appreciative of the current market and can spot the potential that comes with collaborating with other industry professionals.”

Keith Melville, PJA

PJA has announced the appointment of Keith Melville as director of its London office.

The role will make Keith responsible for driving the performance and growth of the transport planning, engineering and placemaking firm’s London operation. He will also work to expand new and existing client relationships in the region.

Keith previously worked for Tyréns UK and has more than 20 years’ experience advising on transport planning, traffic engineering, development planning and regeneration-based projects, both in the UK and overseas.

He said: “I’m really excited about opportunity to grow PJA in London. The company has a strong innovation culture, which I will be keen to build on and offer to London clients and co-consultant partners.

“I’m also looking forward to moving into PJA’s new London office in Covent Garden next month.”

Keith is one of eight new appointments at PJA. The firm now employs 67 people across its five UK offices.

Nigel Millington, joint MD at PJA, commented: “London is a key market for us and we are pleased to have Keith onboard to drive the business forward.

“This latest round of appointments marks a significant shift in the growth of PJA and I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues.”

Four appointments, MOBIE

The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education (MOBIE), set up to support and secure the future of Britain’s housing industry, has announced a raft of appointments.

Mark Southgate is the organisation’s new chief executive. He is a chartered town planner with more than 30 years’ experience in planning, environment and management roles across local government, non-governmental organisations and central government agencies.

MOBIE has also appointed Mark Farmer (pictured above) as a trustee. Mark is the co-founder of London-based Cast Consultancy and boasts over 30 years’ experience in construction and real estate.

New ambassadors for the organisation are Ian Callum, director of design at automaker Jaguar, and Nick Riley, board director at Whittam Cox Architects.

TV presenter and architect George Clarke, founder of MOBIE, said: “MOBIE is all about the future of home design in Britain and across the world. There has been a lack of investment in the home construction industry over the last 30 to 40 years and we need to raise the design and build standards.

“It was critical to build a powerhouse team to drive instrumental change to an industry that so crucially needs it and I’m privileged to have some of the most influential, esteemed and respected figureheads in their own fields standing alongside me.”