Richard King
ChairI joined the Hull Esteem Board as Non-Executive Chair in February 2012 when it was planning, building and refurbishing 27 Hull primary and secondary schools in the £400 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. My current responsibility as Chair is to lead the Board’s governance of Hull Esteem. I have long experience as a consultant to private and public sector leaders and leadership teams in relationship building and performance improvement of senior management teams. My role has progressively exposed me to this historic city and its wonderful people and I’m committed to Hull Esteem playing the biggest possible role in the continuing regeneration of Hull, while improving life opportunities for all its people. I’m extremely proud Hull Esteem has become a sustainable public/private partnership in the true meaning of the word partnership. Hull Esteem’s Strategic Partnering Agreement with Hull City Council has been extended until 2025 and its project portfolio has extended way beyond the original BSF programme; building and extending many more local schools and refurbishing several historic community buildings, including my personal favourites, Trinity Market and Hull New Theatre. Finally, I’m proud to be part of Hull Esteem’s ongoing social enterprise agenda. We’re committed to providing the best possible value for money for our customer, Hull City Council. By working with four local supply chain partners, we ensure the maximum amount of public money invested in these projects circulates in the local community for the benefit of local people.
Jo Barnes
Board MemberI joined the Hull Esteem Board in 2017, representing Sewell Investments. As the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a similar Public-Private Partnership (PPP) vehicle, I provide practical and strategic support regarding business and partnership development, as required, to the General Manager and Board. I also act as an ambassador for Hull Esteem with local stakeholders, as I’m one of the locally-based directors. Having a positive impact on the built environment and improving opportunities for our communities through this is something I’ve been involved in during my whole career. In a former life, I was involved in the economic development and regeneration world and I’m currently Managing Director of Sewell Estates, a Yorkshire-based group of companies which believe strongly in supporting the communities where we operate. Supporting young people to have the best start in life is also something I feel very passionate about. My proudest achievement within the business was when I stood on the stage of the completed Hull New Theatre with the Sewell Group choir to sing as part of the relaunch of the theatre. I realised quite what our team had achieved in that beautiful landmark building. To me, social value means leaving a positive legacy with our work, creating life chances for people by giving them access to opportunities, better environments and raising aspirations.
Rory Christie
Board MemberI joined the Esteem Board early 2019. My principal role is to represent the Dalmore Capital shareholding on the Board and look after the interests and the financial well being of the company.
I have over 20 years experience working on Infrastructure/PPP/ PFI projects. Initially I spent most of my time originating new projects during my time working at British Linen Bank and Noble Group.
As a relatively new Board member I am very pleased with the progress we have made in recent months in reaching successful financial closes at Kelvin Hall and the new extension at St Marys.
Dave Leedham
Board MemberI was involved in Sewell Investments’ successful Hull Building Schools for the Future bid in 2009 and continue to represent the company as part of Esteem.
I work on many of Sewell Investment’s cross sector developments and I'm primarily responsible for all legal, funding and financial aspects of Esteem.
Chris Richardson
Board MemberI joined the Esteem Board early 2019. My principal role is to represent the Dalmore Capital shareholding on the Board and look after the interests and the financial wellbeing of the company.
I have over 10 years of experience in working within infrastructure projects and have developed strong commercial, contract management and relationship skills.
I am passionate about making a difference and partnering. Working collectively, I know that we can continue to build lasting developments and improvements to the area.
Gavin Barley
General ManagerI joined Esteem as Operations Manager back in 2010 delivering the Building Schools for the Future programme of works. In 2015 I took over the role of General Manager heading up the team delivering the City of Culture contracts and more recently the regeneration programme and education estate expansion
I bring 30 years of experience delivering contracts in both Public and Private Sectors across Health, Education, regeneration and major civils projects. My experience extends through the Management and operation of PFI contracts with full Facilities Management provision through to the development of contracts from concept design through the construction phase of delivery and into the operational phase.
I have worked in and around Hull for the majority of my career and have always held a great sense of pride in the projects I have been personally involved with, LIFT Schemes have seen investment in the Health Sector, BSF the redevelopment of the Education Estate and more recently City of Culture that saw the regeneration of key leisure and tourist attractions across the City, our tried, tested and trusted relationship with Hull City Council has seen the successful delivery of over £400m of investment.
I have always believed in the importance of giving back and have held the role of a Trustee on two education boards, it is here that we have seen the impact of the BSF Programme and the positive impact on the young people’s lives.
Tracey Kingdom
ConsultantI joined the Esteem team in 2011 to initially deliver three PFI schemes on an 18-month contract. I provide consultant project management and development services and I have been lucky enough to be involved in the delivery of some wonderfully iconic buildings. I bring 16 years of experience delivering contracts within both the public and private sectors, which has included health, education and leisure services. My career has been focused on working on projects in the Hull area and I am passionate about the future of the city. The work Esteem is undertaking in partnership with Hull City Council plays a key role in maximising local investment and regeneration in our city, improving the educational environment and creating employment opportunities, which is something I am very proud to be part of. Social Value is part of our everyday routine, its who we are. It’s about doing the right thing in the best interests of everyone and everything – clients, customers, community, society and the environment. We all have our part to play to make a difference, to grow and improve, to give something back, to think of the consequences of our actions.
Nigel Wilson
SPV Operations ManagerI joined the Hull Esteem team in February 2017 as an SPV Operations Manager with responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the two Hull BSF Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Project Companies on behalf of directors and investors. The role involves ensuring five new schools constructed and opened in 2011 and 2013 are operated and maintained to the highest standards over the 25-year contracts, liaising with key stakeholders including Hull City Council and Academy Trusts. Having worked within Leeds City Council’s Children’s Services team for over 12 years in a built environment and estates role, the majority of my working life has involved constructing, improving, enhancing and maintaining the education estate, ensuring safe and inspiring learning environments to support the local authority, schools and academies with their teaching and learning delivery. My background in a construction consultancy environment followed by project delivery, asset management, facilities management and contract compliance roles has provided me with an holistic overview of the full construction cycle. I have first-hand experience of seeing the positive benefits investment in regeneration and infrastructure provides for communities, towns and cities, and I’m proud to be involved in Hull’s continuing journey. My proudest achievement within the business is working closely with partners and stakeholders to support contracts to the point of steady state and end users can concentrate on education rather than their buildings. Hull Esteem doesn’t just successfully deliver projects; it offers the whole package, going above and beyond to make a positive impact for Hull.