youngsRPS, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of four new board members from across the business.
Associate Directors Harry Morshead, Tom Whitehead, Joanne Metcalfe, and Paul Fairlamb join Directors and business owners Graeme Bruce, John Turnbull, and Charles Raine on the firm’s board to further develop the overarching business strategy. Michael Blake, a respected previous owner and commercial property lead at youngsRPS, stepped down from the board as a director last year but has remained as a valued consultant through the transition process, and will continue until succession planning has concluded.
Managing Director at youngsRPS, Graeme Bruce, said: “I am thrilled to welcome our Associate Directors onto the youngsRPS board of directors. These individuals have a wealth of experience in their professional fields and have also demonstrated their ability and dedication to further developing the firm. Their appointments will allow us to support the growth of our business’s exciting and diverse future, whilst remaining focused on continually improving the excellent results we produce for our clients.
“Our business dates back to 1879, and our heritage plays a significant part in the decisions that we make today. Over the last 140 years, we have evolved from providing rural professional and consultancy advice to becoming a multidisciplined firm and respected rural and commercial surveyors, estate agents, and development consultants. As we look to the future, we want to not only continue that legacy but create a springboard for new ideas, allowing us to keep modernising in an evolving sector. Our new board members represent all areas of the business, giving each sector the voice it deserves.”
Newly appointed board member and Associate Director, Harry Morshead, said: “It is a really exciting time at youngsRPS. Over the past 12 months, we have concentrated on recruiting experienced individuals to strengthen the services we provide. We have also invested in our IT infrastructure to ensure a streamlined and productive environment for our team to operate efficiently for our clients. Our people have always been the pinnacle of our success, and we have an excellent team in place. Our initial priorities include further developing their working environment. I am excited to work with our team to create an even stronger and more resilient business for the future.”
Joanne Metcalfe is the first female board member at the firm. She joined youngsRPS in 2014 as a newly qualified rural surveyor. She said: “It is an honour to be the first female appointed to the board. I hope to use this opportunity to show that the rural property industry has changed and is no longer solely male-dominated. I will work hard as a leader of the business to ensure that all members of our team are inspired to work towards our common goal and embrace the opportunities available to them.”
Paul Fairlamb, Associate Director, said: “It’s an honour to be joining the board of directors, and also to represent the commercial arm of the business. Whilst our roots are in agriculture, our commercial team has seen significant growth, particularly since merging with Stanton Mortimer in 2017 and moving to our Grey Street office in 2019. We have brought on board new clients and expanded our overall team and offering. Between us, we have over 100 years of commercial property experience within the Tyne and Wear region, and I look forward to continuing to grow our footprint and identifying new opportunities with the support of my fellow board members and the wider team.”
Tom Whitehead, Associate Director, joined youngsRPS in 2020 and has been instrumental in the firm’s rural property success in the Yorkshire region. He said: “We have encountered a considerable amount of change over the last four years. Brexit, war, and a global pandemic have created unparalleled challenges for the agriculture sector. As a firm, we have adapted to ensure that we can continue to support our clients as they face business uncertainty. Our team aren’t just rural agents and consultants; many are farmers themselves, and they have applied their hands-on farming knowledge to create innovative yet practical solutions for our clients, allowing them to navigate a new landscape and thrive. I look forward to working with the rest of the board to ensure that we continue developing our services and working methods to support our clients as we move into a new era of agriculture.”
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