e ’ ve appointed a new Senior Quantity Surveyor - and her first job is to work on the high-profile Hitachi Rail Europe project in Newton Aycliffe . Diane Ruston is used to working on large-scale construction projects in her previous role for a major national construction company . The 30-year-old says she jumped at the chance to work for Aycliffe-based family-run firm Finley Structures . " The attraction was working for a family firm , and working in smaller teams ," says Diane , who graduated from Warwick University in 2004 with a degree in economics . " I can get more involved in the systems side of jobs and looking at procedures , and the opportunity to work on projects like Hitachi ' s train-building factory is fantastic ." Darlington firm Shepherd Construction , the main contractor for the Hitachi project , handed Finley Structures the task of constructing the steel frame of the main factory on the 42,700sqm site at Aycliffe Business Park earlier this year . Diane added : Diane added : “ At the moment we ’ re working on the main shed build , so there ’ s a lot of Hitachi steel going through the factory . " I look after the financial and legal side of the project , sub-contract orders and working on our contract with Shepherd . " It ' s great to be working on such a high-profile project straight away . The Hitachi development is huge for the area but also for the UK , so naturally we ' re keen to do the best job we possibly can ." Diane joining Finley Structures comes six months after the high-profile appointment of Jim Graham , who joined the Aycliffe firm as operations manager . Managing director Julie Finley said : " Diane ' s appointment is another hugely positive development for the company and is another indicator of the direction in which we ' re heading . " Our team has already showed its capability to work on major projects , but Diane brings more qualities to the table and , as well as working on the Hitachi project , her knowledge and expertise will only enhance all of the projects we ' re working on and will continue to win in the future ." Finley Structures , started by Managing Director John Finley in 2000 , has completed a string of high-profile contracts in recent years . The company has worked with Shepherd www . finleystructures . co . uk
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Economics graduate joins us as new Senior Quantity Surveyor W
Construction on a 1,000-tonne project at Drax Power Station in Selby , North Yorkshire , and the 950-tonne National Renewable Energy Centre ( NAREC ) in Blyth , as well as a 500-tonne contract at Ercall Wood Technology College in Telford and a 400-tonne job at Daventry Academy , Northampton .
Uni students learn about steel fabrication
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tudents from Durham University enjoyed a tour of Finley Structures recently .
Eleven first year engineering students , who are all 19 , were given a tour at our factory on Aycliffe Business Park as part of their “ hands on ” week with nearby training provider South West Durham Training ( SWDT ). The week forms an essential part of their studies , giving them a “ real life ” insight into their industry , before they continue their academic work at University . Finley Structures regularly welcomes students and local schools into its factory . Managing Director Julie Finley said : “ It ’ s important for young people to see for themselves the modern workplace and we ’ re always keen to welcome students into our factory whenever we can .
● Eddie Pitchers gives the Durham University students a tour around our factory .
“ For engineering students , in particular , the workforce of tomorrow , it will hopefully prove to be a useful part of their studies .” Durham student Magnus Pierre , who visited the Finley site , said : “ I found it very interesting and useful . “ Seeing something practical in the workshop is invaluable to our studies and it gives us a great indication as to the scale of some of the projects local companies are working on every day .” SWDT ’ s Business Development Manager Kate Chapman added : “ As part of our ongoing partnership with Durham University , 150 students come to us for a week to get practical experience in the workplace . “ They spend a lot of time in our state-of-the-art workshops and get to see the world of work at close hand during site visits to various companies in the area . “ It ’ s essential for students to go out there and complement their academic studies with real experience .”
Finley Structures Newsletter Issue 68 , Summer 2013 2014