Virtus are delighted to announce more valuable recruits to our expanding team, reflecting our continued aim to only employ the very best people.
James Carson
Performance Programme Analyst
Having recently graduated from the University of Ulster, James has joined the company as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Oxford Brookes University and Virtus. Leading a two-year project to refine and promote a holistic methodology for enhancing energy performance in existing buildings, he will develop a robust, efficient and targeted delivery model based on client feedback and market intelligence. James has been liaising with many NHS Trusts to research and analyse drivers, targets and historical data relating to energy consumption and carbon emissions.
James said: “I was overjoyed when I was offered the position with Virtus. Of all the jobs and companies I had looked at, Virtus stood out to me. For a young company to have achieved so much and worked with such high-profile clients, it speaks volumes.”
Vlad Nicolescu
Energy Consultant
A second year student on the Energy Engineering with Year in Industry programme at University of East Anglia, Vlad was seeking to support his degree with work experience in the energy industry. Energy consultancy is one of our core activities and an expert Virtus engineer is closely mentoring Vlad, providing an outstanding opportunity to learn and develop. Vlad has been involved in a number of our key projects including Cornbury Park Estate, where he learned the process of installing solar PV panels. Vlad has developed skills he gained at university, such as the ability to approximate, analyse, calculate different variables and come to a result even with limited information.
Vlad said: “Virtus have provided an exciting and unrivalled working and learning environment which I’m proud to be part of. No two days have been the same, so I have been constantly learning.”
James Almond
Associate Director
Head of our new Leeds operation, James has a strong network of regional connections and a wealth of experience, ranging from Oil and Gas, Central Government, Education, Healthcare, Retail, CRE and development. He has worked for a wide range of clients and contracts including Titanic Belfast, a new Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, the Department for Education, Network Rail, HSBC, Lloyds and Yorkshire Bank.
James said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of establishing a new office in Leeds and developing Virtus into this new market. The company’s core values of honesty, integrity, flexibility and a strong focus on the client’s needs are very closely aligned with my own values.”
Ben Hadley
Project Manager
Ben brings over eleven years’ experience in the construction sector both public and privately within a variety of contracts, including Reading Special Needs School, King Solomon Academy Marylebone, City of London Theatre, Cardiff Trident Park Industrial Estate, Marriott Hotel Ghana, The Priory Rehabilitation Centre and residential developments for Palladian Properties. He is currently delivering a refurbishment project for IM Properties in Blythe Vale Business Park, Birmingham and enabling works for Mid-Town Capital in Northamptonshire.
Ben said: “Virtus is a forward-thinking organisation, with a growing profile within the industry, and the company is setting standards within certain sectors. It is very exciting to be part of this dynamic operation and I’m working with some very talented people here.”
Helen Reilly
Senior Cost Manager
Helen gained a fantastic professional grounding at Francis Graves and quickly progressed to fully-qualified QS status. She later joined Mitchells & Butlers Property Team, overseeing large new-build and refurbishment re-brand schemes, as well as the smaller maintenance and refresh projects. Prior to joining Virtus Helen managed bar and lodge refurbishments for a high-end pub company.
Helen said: “Joining Virtus was a very easy decision for me. I knew most of the people and had always been impressed with their professionalism and can-do attitude. I am working on a number of exciting schemes and I already feel like a valued member of the team. There is a definite buzz at Virtus, which is reflected in the industry as a whole at the moment.”
Will Howe
Assistant Project and Cost Manager
Previously at a similar medium sized consultancy, Will brings comprehensive experience from the commercial, leisure, education and residential sectors, including national retail frameworks for Central England Co-operative Limited and McDonald’s, refurbishment of domestic properties and working client-side with a major retailer. Will is currently on his last year at university and is aiming to graduate with a first-class honours degree.
Will said: “Joining Virtus has been a revelation! The working environment is a refreshing change and everybody has been very welcoming. After two months in the role I am working on some large and exciting schemes on both Quantity Surveying and Project Management side. As the next year progresses I can see large leaps forward for the company – exciting times are ahead!”
