South Tyneside-based, HLA Services, a leading full-mechanical, air conditioning, climate change and temperature control specialist, has announced two senior appointments.
Wendy Duffy, who has been with the business for 20 years working in an accounts and administration role, becomes a director and Maxine Charlton, steps up from credit control and job analysis, to senior service manager.
The appointments follow the company’s 20th anniversary of trading and in May, this year, it won Business of the Year at the Best of South Tyneside Awards.
HLA Services is headquartered in Boldon and employs 120 staff, with satellite offices in Cumbria and a manufacturing hub in Seaham. The firm operates across a number of sectors including construction, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, education and four of the North East’s universities.
The restructure of the senior management team signals the progression paths that are in place within the company as it continues to invest in its people.
Director, Paul Smith, said: “As we look ahead to the next 20 years, our number one priority remains our people. Wendy and Maxine have been longstanding members of the team and will steer the business into its next phase of growth.
“I am very proud of the progression paths we have in place. We have worked hard to ensure we have the correct blend of experience and youth, so fresh ideas can be supported and developed against tried and tested methods.”
Wendy, said: “Having been with HLA Services from the very beginning and having led the accounts team, I have a well-rounded knowledge of the business. Every day is always different and working at HLA Services keeps you on your toes!
“I took up a finance and admin role at a time when there were only a couple of staff and six engineers. 20 years later we have a headcount that is over 100.
“The changes have been vast. I joined as the sole member of the finance and admin team and now it is a team of seven who, I can proudly say, I have mentored and assisted in their progression.
“I will still remain within the accounts team but I am looking forward to taking a wider position within the company, including more responsibility for its day-to-day running.
“I want to ensure all employees know how the different divisions operate. Working within accounts, you get to see how everything fits together and it is important we continue to educate our teams to understand the full lifecycle of the business.”