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Dawnus Construction brings in 61 years' experience in three recruits(Western Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Freshwater, arguably the UK's fastest growing regional PR network, has appointed a human resources manager to help the company adjust to jumping from 23 to 65 staff in two years. Lesley Richards, 41, from Treharris, will be responsible for providing HR services, from recruitment to training, for teams in Freshwater's eight offices across the UK. She brings 16 years of experience to the role, having worked for companies across South Wales including Leo Abse & Cohen and Geldards, both current clients of Freshwater Wales. Before starting at Freshwater, she ran her own HR consultancy, with clients in local government, manufacturing, telecommunications and various SMEs across South Wales. She also holds several HR qualifications, including an MSc in HR Management from the University of Glamorgan. She will be based at the group's headquarters in Cardiff, but has already visited the group's other offices around the country. Ms Richards said, 'I am particularly excited about working for a PR company, as it is a completely new industry for me. I am also looking forward to the challenge of implementing a new integrated human resources structure across the Freshwater group.' Freshwater has expanded rapidly since being established by chief executive Steve Howell in 1997. In 2005 it was ranked 12th in the league table of regional PR companies published by PR Week, and has also made the top 10 of the Fast Growth 50 for the past two years. Mr Howell, said, 'With Lesley's appointment we can build on the best of the work we already do in recruiting, motivating and training our staff to create an HR strategy that will benefit them and, by extension, our clients.' Ms Richards was born and brought up in Cardiff, but has travelled throughout the world. She studied for the International Baccalaureate in Geneva when her father was posted there with the International Labour Organisation. She also took part in the first cultural exchange between Cardiff and the People's Republic of China, when she spent a year teaching at Xiamen Educational Bureau. SWANSEA-BASED Dawnus Construction has made three new appointments in its North Wales division. Bryn Williams and Rhys Thomas join from Laing O'Rourke and Alfred McAlpine respectively as project managers. Between them the pair have nearly 50 years' experience in the construction industry. Holding the fort in the Bangor office is Kay Pearce who joins the company as administrator and office manager. She has 11 years' office experience in the construction industry and previously worked alongside Bryn at Laing O'Rourke. Richard Hughes, regional director of Dawnus Northern, said, 'These three key appointments reflect our commitment to growth in North Wales. 'With several new contract wins since we opened the office last year we are continually expanding our capabilities and are undertaking marketing activities to promote the division and ensure local companies are aware of our presence in the region.' LAW firm Geldards has expanded its claims management unit in response to the department's continued growth. Nicholas Mallen, 36, from Cardiff, joins Geldards as a solicitor at the firm's Cardiff office. The firm's claims management work has jumped 50% in the last year. Mr Mallen brings eight years of experience to the post, with particular expertise in personal injury defence work and industrial accidents and disease claims. Before taking up the position at Geldards, he was an in-house solicitor at AIG Insurance in Bristol. After studying business at Coventry University, Nicholas gained a BA in Law from the University of Staffordshire. His training contract was at Pictons in Hertfordshire - where he is originally from - and he has worked for various firms along the M4 corridor, including Leo Abse & Cohen and Cartwright Black. He said, 'I wanted to work for Geldards as they have a fantastic reputation within the industry. 'I am already enjoying my work here, and have found that there is very supportive working environment.' He added, 'I strongly believe that client relations need to be constantly monitored and that continuous effort needs to be made to maintain and improve the service that we offer them.' Partner and joint head of the claims management unit, Donna Makin, said, 'Nicholas has extensive knowledge in claims law which has already proved invaluable in the work he is doing with us. 'His working relationships with our clients are excellent and I am confident that these qualities will combine to make him an indispensable part of the team.' Geldards LLP has 54 partners and employs more than 350 personnel at offices in Cardiff, Derby & Nottingham. Copyright 2006 . Western Mail & Echo Ltd |