Essar Oil UK, regeneration consultancy Aspinall Verdi and architecture practice Falconer Chester Hall, have all announced new appointments

Essar Oil UK has recruited Byron Barker to its retail team, supporting the company’s rapidly growing network of stations in the UK.

From its main refinery at Stanlow on the banks of the Mersey, Essar produces 4.4bn litres of diesel, 3bn litres of petrol and 2bn litres of jet fuel and supplies 16% of all the UK’s road transport fuel needs.

It is also rapidly growing its network of UK retail outlets and has recently opened its 74th site, at Mount Service Station in Shrewsbury. Essar also plans to open its first company owned flagship site opposite its Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port later this year.

Mr Barker joins the company as retail business development manager, with five years of industry experience at Suresite and Tesco, including 12 years in retail. In his most recent role as Wetstock account manager, Byron played a key role in driving Wetstock sales and the operational running of the Wetstock department.

He said: “It means a lot to be representing a company that I believe in. With a great brand image and such strong plans for growth, it’s an exciting time to be joining Essar.” 

James Jessop has joined property regeneration consultancy Aspinall Verdi as a consultant in its Liverpool office.

Mr Jessop has joined the company following four years’ of working in the residential sector in London, primarily concentrating on the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea market. An old boy of Merchant Taylor’s in Crosby, he recently returned to the North West, completing an RICS accredited MSc in Real Estate at Liverpool John Moores University in 2019.

At the same time, Jessica Mistry has started working in Liverpool. Ms Mistry has been with the company for three years working in the Leeds office. She is a specialist in development Viability, heritage and valuation.

Andy Delaney, director of the Liverpool office, said “We have been open for six months in Liverpool and we have picked up an encouraging range of regeneration and development instructions across the North West.

“The new Government has promised to rebalance the economy, HS2 has been confirmed and regeneration is firmly back on the agenda. The addition of James and Jessica will enable us to grow the team’s presence across the North West.”

Quentin Keohane has been appointed as a director at architects Falconer Chester Hall. Mr Keohane joined the team four years ago as an associate director and is based at the firm’s head office in Liverpool.

Managing director Adam Hall said “Quentin will be a fantastic asset to the board and I am delighted he accepted the promotion, which is aligned to the strategic growth and succession plans for the practice in the North West region.”

Mr Keohane added: “I am thrilled to have been appointed director at Falconer Chester Hall, I am looking forward to new challenges and taking a more active role in the strategic direction of the practice.