EXECUTIVE NEWS continued
Paragon banks on new startup
Paragon Bank has enabled three Leicestershire- based sisters to follow in the footsteps of their father and set up new plant hire business together called FinniGroup Ltd. Many family-run businesses have humble
beginnings, of course, although FinniGroup is already off to a great start, with Paragon’s investment funding the purchase of two substantial Bell 30E dump trucks. The new team has hire in blood too, having previously worked at their dad Paul’s firm, Joinpoint Ltd, which specialises in larger scale construction machinery. “After seeing the success of our father’s business,
we wanted to invest in some plant equipment ourselves and learn more about the family business,” says Hollie Finnegan (pictured centre). “We knew that using Paragon was a great option for us and the best support we needed, at a rate we are comfortable with. “Even though plant hire and construction has
traditionally been male dominated, growing numbers of women are getting involved. Everyone we’ve met along the way, from customers to suppliers, have all been lovely and encouraging.”
Bright future for GAP apprentice
A young engineer has carried off two awards in a competition aimed at finding the UK’s best construction plant apprentices. 20 year-old Alisha Giles of Brighton was the national
runner-up in the Level 2 ‘Plant Mechanic of the Year’ category at the CPA’s ‘Stars of the Future’ awards. Alisha had earlier won the regional title and went head to head against seven winners from other colleges in the national finals. Alisha is an apprentice construction plant fitter with
GAP Hire Solutions and attends Reaseheath College, where she receives additional off-the-job training. She has recently progressed onto her Level 3 apprenticeship, yet still manages to undertake a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Open University. Once qualified she hopes to become a workshop foreman and eventually a chief engineer. “My family has been involved in construction plant for many
generations and my dad encouraged me from a young age to get involved with engines, machinery and vehicles,” says Alisha, pictured
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here with Reaseheath’s Construction Plant Programme leader Jon Rowley. “Everything about an engine captivates me, from the noise to researching each component – and the joy of finding and solving issues. I apply everything I’ve learned at college back at my workplace. All my lecturers have worked in the industry and put themselves out to support me.”
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