A highly regarded construction manager who has been involved in the building of tens of thousands of new homes across the North West has joined a Cumbrian housebuilder.
David Graziano has worked in management roles with some of the country’s largest home builders including Redrow, Miller Homes and more latterly as head of construction at Bellway Homes Manchester.
His prestigious career in construction spanning 34 years will continue at Genesis Homes, headquartered in Penrith, after being appointed as construction director.
David said: “The time felt right for a new challenge, and this is an opportunity I’m really excited about. I’m a fan of the Genesis Homes product and its specifications, and I was really impressed with managing director Nicky Gordon’s ambitions to grow the business.
“What is core to Genesis Homes is its overall brand and making sure all its developments are consistent, and that customer satisfaction and industry standards are always achieved.
“This is something vital to me as I will move heaven and earth to make sure I deliver what I set out to.
“There is nothing more satisfying in the role than seeing the delight on the faces of your customers receiving the keys to their new home after you have turned a piece of land into a desirable place to live.”
Early in his career, David worked as a trainee assistant manager at Redrow before making the move to Miller Homes four years later, where he worked his way up the company to the position of contracts manager.
After 16 years with Miller, Bellway Homes appointed David as a senior contracts manager in 2016 and he was made the company’s head of construction in 2022.
Mr Gordon said: “Attracting somebody with such a high level of expertise, experience and knowledge of working in the construction industry is a major milestone in the Genesis Homes journey.
“David is one of the best in the business and we are excited about seeing how he can help drive up standards across the whole team with his leadership capabilities and great eye for detail.
“I’m so proud of how quickly Genesis Homes has developed over the years, and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we will grow now that we have enlisted the services of somebody as esteemed as David.”
New technical and engineering director for Delkia
Award-winning engineering and technology specialist Delkia has made a major new appointment.
Geoff Cooper joins the firm as technical and engineering director. This is an internal promotion from technical manager and head of airworthiness to a newly created position as the company strengthens its top team.
The firm said: “This will ensure Delkia continues to offer excellence in engineering to its growing customer base in clean energy, aerospace, and maritime sectors, with a burgeoning order book for 2024, which is likely to result in a record-breaking year for the company.”
Kurt Canfield, CEO, said: “This is part of Delkia’s strategic commitment to provide the very best service and delivery to our clients now, whilst developing the technology and capability development to meet the needs of the future.
“Geoff will ensure we develop our capabilities to meet the needs of major customers such as BAE Systems and Sellafield Ltd, develop innovative technologies and products to continue our success story as a growing British engineering and technology company.”
With decades of experience in engineering Geoff started his career an apprentice with BAE Systems, eventually managed manufacturing and maintenance for multiple air systems. He then moved onto Typhoon and UAS engineering projects before becoming engineering data manager and a configuration management expert. Geoff then spent three-and-a-half years at Thales ISR where he was technical assurance manager, working on the Watchkeeper and other ISR Products.
Geoff joined Delkia in March 2023 as technical manager for aerospace.
Headteacher confirmed for William Howard School
Following a national recruitment process, Kath Pigdon has been appointed as the permanent headteacher for Brampton’s William Howard School.
Ms Pigdon moved to the school, now part of Cumbria Education Trust, in 2009 as an assistant headteacher and was promoted to deputy headteacher in 2014.
She has most recently undertaken the role of headteacher on an interim basis.
Des Bird, the trust’s director of secondary improvement, said: “We are confident that under Kath’s leadership, William Howard School will continue to thrive, providing an enriching educational experience for our students.
“She is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with both parents and students and has already introduced a range of opportunities to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the success of every student.”
Ms Pigdon said: “I am both excited and honoured to continue as headteacher of William Howard School. As Headteacher, I remain fully committed to ensuring our students receive the best educational experience during their time here.”
37 years of service for Avanti West Coast employee
A Cumbrian Avanti West Coast employee is celebrating 37 years of service.
Margaret Jones, who worked as a route support in Carlisle, has retired after helping colleagues with rosters, arranging essential equipment and general administrative duties for decades.
Her retirement also marks the end of her family’s wider connection to the railway – Margaret’s dad worked in the booking office at Carlisle after leaving the army and her mum held various clerical roles within track maintenance and payroll at Carlisle before working onboard trains and retiring 12 years ago.
Earlier generations of Margaret’s family also worked on the railway – her great grandad drove steam trains between Carlisle and Glasgow, and his son – Margaret’s great uncle – also became a driver in Carlisle before transferring to Euston Junction depot where he drove steam, diesel, and electric trains on the West Coast main line.
With an aspiration to follow in her mother’s footsteps and work in an office, Margaret first applied for a role in the typing pool based at Carlisle station.
She started the temporary position on December 8 1986 and was responsible for typing internal memos, external letters, and photocopying.
In November 1989, aged 21, Margaret was offered a permanent position as a typist – a job she carried out for just over a year before holding administrative roles, including that of a roster clerk, at Carlisle for seven years.
Margaret then became clerical support in April 1996 – commuting by train to Preston station where the role was based.
She covered the Anglo Scot London to Scotland route supporting station and onboard colleagues between Warrington and Glasgow and Edinburgh. Her remit also covered teams at Runcorn and Liverpool for six years.
Margaret said her enjoyment of helping people is what kept her in this same role for 28 years.
While the job title changed, and the station and depots she looked after varied every few years, her responsibilities remained the same – ensuring colleagues at stations and onboard, as well as their managers were supported with ordering equipment, uniforms, and general admin.
Her efforts behind the scenes supported colleagues to keep the day-to-day running of the stations and onboard service on track.
Most of Margaret’s working life was spent in Preston before moving back to Carlisle station in 2022.
She said: “Carlisle is close to my heart – it’s where I live and the place where my mam and dad were based during their railway careers. It has been great to have started my career here, as well as finish it.”
New trustees for Eden Valley Hospice
A group of Cumbrian business, community and health leaders have been appointed to the board of trustees of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.
The five new trustees have just started their roles and will play a key role in supporting the vital charity which cares for local adults and children with life limiting illnesses.
Trustees work for the organisation on a voluntary basis and have overall responsibility for the governance of the hospice, along with supporting its strategic development.
The board also ensures that the charity maintains and develops its services to the local community, is well run and meets its legal and financial obligations.
The new trustees are Gwyn Lishman, Ann Noblett, Paul Turney, Matt Hall and Paul Agnew.
Gwyn, 43, who lives in Seaton with his wife and young daughter, has been an occupational therapist for more than 20 years and has almost 10 years’ experience with the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator for health and social care.
Gwyn currently works as a wellness programme lead and lead occupational therapist in the Copeland Primary Care Network leading social prescribing, health coaching, learning disability and children’s community teams.
Ann, a physiotherapist with almost 30 years’ experience from north Cumbria, has spent all her working career in the county, predominately in the Carlisle area. She has worked in the Carlisle Community Rehabilitation Service, most recently in pain services, and latterly as a lecturer at the University of Cumbria.
Paul Turney joins the board with more than 30 years’ experience in the finance sector. Paul has extensive experience of working within health and social care while employed by Cumbria County Council and currently works for national charity Making Space as chief finance officer. In addition to his paid roles, Paul is also vice-chair of governors at Trinity School and a coach and treasurer at Carlisle Junior Tri Club.
Matt, from the Keswick area, has a history of working as a senior manager and consultant in the arts sector but now heads up capital developments and estates for a national children’s cancer charity.
Carlisle-based Paul Agnew, a 30-year food industry veteran who has run businesses in the USA, Poland and the UK, is currently managing director of the UK division of a European multinational food business. Formerly of Maryport, he is married with three children and six grandchildren.
