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WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON
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Promotion – Natalie Benson has stepped up from operations manager and will now oversee the day-today running of VAS Valuation Group .
2023 is proving to be VAS Valuation Group ’ s year , with expansion , promotions , a new videodriven website and a series of podcasts …
We may only be a quarter of the way through a new year , yet the good news continues to come thick and fast for Middlesbrough-based property valuation and panel management firm VAS Valuation Group .
The Riverside Park-headquartered company has expanded its 2023 educational activities for lenders and brokers with the launch of a new videodriven website .
Covering both the firm ’ s VAS Panel and VAS Assurance divisions , the site contains detailed explanations of how each business works and has a big emphasis on people-led presentations to highlight key facts and figures .
In addition , a series of podcasts filmed with former Manchester Evening News business editor Ben Rooth will begin with commonly asked questions based on requesting quotes , instructing valuations and quality controls procedures within the VAS Panel system .
Using its team front and centre of this new undertaking is hugely important for VAS , which recognises that its “ people with technology , not technology with people ” ethos is what makes its business exceptional – as is its support and advancement of its female staff .
Having recently celebrated International Women ’ s Day , it seems only fitting that in a hitherto predominantly male-dominated industry , VAS has an 84 per cent female staff ratio and is justifiably proud of its commitment to furthering women in the finance industry .
The company ’ s dedication to nurturing its team and the empowerment and elevation of women was further underscored recently with three senior promotions – all female .
VAS Panel has promoted Louise Chapman to commercial director and Natalie Benson to operations director as the company looks to further enhance client services .
Louise , who joined the business in November 2017 and took on the role of operations director in December 2020 , takes on the management and maintenance of relationships with both lenders and their brokers .
Natalie , who has been with the company since August 2018 as operations manager , steps up to oversee the day-to-day running of the business .
In addition , VAS Valuation Group has appointed Ashley Kirton to the newly created role of general manager .
A proven supervisor with more than 15 years of experience , Ashley will work closely with the heads and assistant heads of every department across the VAS Panel division to ensure the business continues to deliver high standards of customer service . Her promotion completes the new look senior management team .
“ While VAS Valuation Group are passionate about supporting women , their recent recruitment is actually more organic than deliberate ,” says Natalie .
“ Like many ladies here at VAS , I began my career in administration but always wanted a role with progression and growth .
“ If VAS recognise your ambition and dedication , they will nurture and support you . It ’ s about putting the right people into the right jobs .
“ During the last five years I have moved from department leader , then ops manager and now ops director .”
As revenue and staff numbers continue to grow , VAS is on the move once more , putting a huge investment into two floors of office space adjacent to its current Stephenson House home .
“ The new space will have breakout areas , meeting rooms and more space to allow our hardworking people to recuperate and take time out ,” says Natalie .
“ It ’ s a really exciting move and one which was always part of our five-year plan . The fact that we ’ ve completed it in just two years is fantastic . I can ’ t wait to see what the rest of the year holds .”
vas-group . co . uk
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