Meet The Team - Hull Esteem

Richard King

Chair

I 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 Member

I 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 Member

I 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 Member

I 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.

Ian Anderson

Board Member

I joined the Hull Esteem Board in September 2020 and represent Hull City Council. I’m Hull City Council’s Director of Legal Services and Partnerships, responsible for the governance, housing, customer services and human resources functions of the council.

I hold qualifications as a barrister, mediator and Master of Business Administration, as well as having a passion for promoting the use of technology and data to the public good. While established as a commercial business, the company’s primary focus is explicitly not to deliver profit to shareholders, but to bring together the commercial skills and knowledge of its supply chain to work with the public sector stakeholder and deliver outcomes to the public good. In terms of my proudest achievement within the business, it’s still early days. However, I believe I’ve been instrumental in focussing the business upon its core purpose and the opportunities that exist to better connect with the customer base and understand the social and environmental impact. Social value is placing a tangible value upon the indirect social and environmental benefits that are achievable through the procurement process by valuing those outcomes when making purchasing decisions, and monitoring the reduction in demand for delivery of public services that follows.

Within Hull Esteem, it is deliverable through challenging the supply chain to recognise any potential negative consequences of the manner in which works are delivered, and determinedly promoting the opportunities to undertake activity in a way that promotes positive outcomes.

Tracy Harsley

Board Member

I joined the Hull Esteem Board in September 2020, supporting the role of Hull City Council Director of Legal Services and Partnerships and Hull Esteem board member, Ian Anderson.

Since moving to Hull over 35 years ago to become a Police Officer with the Humberside Force, my career has always been heavily invested in supporting the local community. In 1994, I started my local government career working in Adult Social Care and my career has since given me broad knowledge and experience of the city that focusses on those most disadvantaged and vulnerable. I joined Hull City Council in 2006 as Community Safety Manager, leading on issues such as anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, public protection and the Youth Justice Service.

Most recently, I have moved into Public Health and Adult services where I continue to lead and Chair the Community Safety Partnership Board, Veterans and Armed Forces work and lead on Social Inclusion.

As an Esteem board member, I can bring to the table a whole range of experience, insight and knowledge that may present a different angle to our communities. I am passionate about our city, but most importantly about enabling those furthest away from opportunity to be brought closer to access the pathways that will improve lives and outcomes for families and residents.

We need to ensure that through our projects we are truly including local people who will not only benefit from the project’s completion but who are engaged as part of a workforce wherever it is possible, so that the community share in the collective benefit of the project.

Peter Johnstone

Board Member

I joined the Esteem Board for the second time in July 2021 having previously held a Board position in 2018/19. I was appointed to the company by Dalmore Capital, one of the company’s shareholders and my role is to assist the company in making effective strategic and operational decisions. By profession, I’m a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ experience in the development, financing and operation of public private partnership projects. I've been Finance Director for two privately owned Investment and Asset Management companies and also held Board positions on around 40 project companies responsible for the development and operation of such projects.

I believe the work that continues to be delivered by Esteem is transformational in many different ways. As well as the obvious aesthetic enhancements, the contribution to improving people’s lives through the quality of services provided is significant. The collective desire of all parties in the Hull Esteem partnership to bring projects together for the well-being of the people of Hull and their communities is something very special.

My proudest achievement within the business is undoubtedly, the development of a genuine partnering ethos with our colleagues at Hull City Council. Whilst Esteem has had its challenges in the past, its evolution and development over the last few years into what is now an extremely efficient and effective organisation, delivering projects across the City in collaboration with the Council, is extremely satisfying.

To me, the “Social Value” of something is how it contributes to the long-term wellbeing of individuals, communities and society in general. Hull Esteem is able to fulfil its commitment to its social value responsibilities by ensuring that the entire Esteem delivery team keeps each of these aspirations at the fore-front of its mind when both developing and delivering projects.

Gavin Barley

General Manager

I 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

Consultant

I 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.

James Prest

Assistant Project Manager

I joined Esteem as an Assistant Project Manager in 2020 after graduating with a 2:1 degree in Law with Business Management from the University of Hull. As an Assistant Project Manager, I provide support across all aspects of project delivery, from initial concept to project completion. My role includes aiding customer engagements, contract development, legal development and defects management. From growing up and studying in Hull, I have directly benefitted from the work Esteem has completed in the City. I studied in the new build of my secondary school, St. Mary’s College delivered by Esteem and I am a regular user of the Trinity Market in the City Centre. I have a strong appreciation for the continued investment of Hull and I am proud to be playing a role in the regeneration of the City that is close to my heart. My proudest achievement so far is supporting the successful financial close of Broadacre Primary School. This was the first project I was introduced to when I joined Esteem. I am continuing to support up to £15 million worth of schemes across the City, which in the early stages of my career I am extremely proud of.

Samantha Crosthwaite

Contract Administrator

I’ve been with Esteem since July 2021 as their Contract Administrator, following a break from working to expand my family. As the Contract Administrator, it’s my job to provide admin support to the team across all projects. Day-to-day, my role includes general administrative support, defects management and running various databases to track progress across each project. I’ve been working in Hull now for nearly 20 years, but I grew up in a village west of the City. Before taking time off to concentrate on my family, I hugely enjoyed working in the construction industry and felt so excited to get stuck back into it again when offered this role at Esteem. I enjoy varied work and the projects we work on are so diverse, no two days are the same! During my short time with Esteem I've developed a broad understanding of the Authority’s leisure and educational facilities, and how Esteem have facilitated the implementation of expansions and refurbishments. Outside of work, you’re likely to find me making memories with my partner and children and catching up with friends. I also enjoy crafting, making soft furnishings and things for the children.

David Whittingham

SPV Manager

I joined Esteem in late 2021 following a number of years working with the Esteem team leading the FM service provision across a number of PFI schools in Hull. Prior to this role I worked for 30 years in the soft and hard service industries notably in the Hospitality and FM sectors across the UK, delivering services to FTSE 100 companies in the private sector and for a number of years at a large, 1000 bed acute hospital in the East Midlands. I feel this array of experiences is an integral part to the existing team delivering projects in Hull and this was a good place to further my experiences having lived in Yorkshire for many years. I’ve always taken a great deal of satisfaction, that others benefit from the services I’ve been involved in providing and in terms of the services to the schools, it is a great opportunity to help provide the very best to our students in their formative years.

Emma Mitchell

Contract / project Administrator

I joined Esteem on Tuesday 1 February 2022 in the role of Contract / Project Administrator. I provide support across a range of projects which keeps my role really varied. I've always enjoyed working in the Construction Industry and have been part of some major projects across Hull and East Riding throughout my career. My previous roles were always site based, so it's great to be in the office and seeing a project come together from a new perspective. Albert Avenue Pools is an exciting project for me because I used it a lot as a child and both of my children learned to swim there. Outside, work I like to spend weekends away with my family and French Bulldog in our tourer caravan and going to gigs and festivals.