RECRUITMENT
PACK
Company Secretary
February 2016
www.campbelltickell.com
Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
YOUR APPLICATION
Dear Applicant
Thank you very much for your interest in this position. On the following pages you will find information
about the Company Secretary post at Tower Hamlets Community Housing, along with details of the
selection process, to assist you in completing and tailoring your application. In order to apply you should
submit:

An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than
three pages;

A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you are a good
candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification – we recommend that this is no
longer than two pages;

The declaration form – but completion of the equalities section is not mandatory, this is requested for
monitoring purposes in line with our commitment to equality and diversity; and

An indication on the declaration form if you cannot attend any of the interview dates.
Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is complete. Please send your
application, preferably in MS Word format, by email to: thch@campbelltickell.com.
Applications must be received by 12 noon on Friday 11 March 2016.
You will receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours of receipt and we suggest that, if after that time you
have not heard from us, you telephone the office (020 3 434 0990) to ensure that it has arrived. Using a
secure email address and putting the job title/organisation in the subject line reduces the chances of any
email going into spam.
Please do contact me if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role/organisation or if you have
any other questions to help you decide whether to apply. You can contact me on 07900 363803 or 020
3434 0990.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Kelly Shaw
Senior Associate Consultant
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
CONTENTS
Welcome letter from the Chief Executive
4
About Tower Hamlets Community Housing
5
The Board
6
The Management Team
9
Role profile
10
Organisation chart
18
Principal terms and conditions of service
19
About the Board and Committees
20
Key dates and the selection process
21
Media advertisement
22
The following supplementary information can be downloaded
from www.campbelltickell.com:
Corporate Plan 2014
THCH Standing Orders
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
WELCOME LETTER
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in this role, and do read this pack to find out more about us. We believe that we
are different from many of our peers: we are truly local, connected with the grass roots communities, and
with an excellent relationship with the local authority in Tower Hamlets.
We have faced some considerable external challenges in the last couple of years and this is a time of great
change for us. We want to restore our reputation with the regulator, give assurance to the Board that the
organisation has strong internal controls, and we want to be proactive in how we navigate our future.
Previously it was always the case that I managed the company secretarial role myself; in the changing world
of housing where policy is evolving month by month and some of the traditional assumptions underpinning
the sector are being removed, I need to be able to put my energies into leading and directing the
organisation. That in itself is a full-time job.
This role is crucial in giving me, the executive and the Board confidence that we have a highly professional
person of great integrity, commitment and challenge holding us to the highest standards of governance.
We welcome that independence and see you as an important part of building our future resilience. You will
need to be someone who can take the brief, make it their own and ensure that all of our governance
documentation and regulatory returns are of excellent quality. You will also need to be able to challenge
me sometimes!
There is lots for you to build on, with a process of governance evolution over the last couple of years. We
have changed Board size and composition, and have recruited a new Chair and some excellent new Board
members to fill the vacancies left by those who served us so well. This is a Board that is ambitious and
motivated by delivering the best housing outcomes to the local area.
Your background is likely to be company secretarial and compliance orientated. You will need to have a
style and approach that engages with stakeholders with grace and gravitas and you will need to show that
you are highly competent in executing the traditional responsibilities of a company secretary. This is a role
where a wide range of stakeholders will need to have confidence in you, therefore the ability to managing a
variety of relationships and be able to get buy in to new ways of working will be key.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to an organisation that embraces change. Please read
the recruitment pack to find out more and do speak to our retained consultants at Campbell Tickell. I shall
look forward to receiving your submission and thank you for your interest in this role.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Tyrrell
Chief Executive
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
ABOUT US
THCH is a Registered Social Landlord and a
Registered Charity operating exclusively in the
London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
We aim to provide good quality homes for rent and
shared ownership and we currently own and
manage just over 3,000 homes, including 2,000
tenanted properties and over 1,000 leasehold
homes.
Our vision is "To work with residents to deliver well
managed local housing and community services
through
a
flourishing
financially
strong
organisation".
This will done by:





Providing a better place for living safely
Providing a better place for living well
Creating and sharing prosperity
Providing a better place for learning
achievement and leisure
Providing excellent public services
Growth and Sustainability
THCH owns over 3,000 homes, of which roughly
800 transferred to THCH in January 2006 as part
of the Stock Transfer process. THCH has in a
place a £29million, 5-year, refurbishment plan
for these homes. We will bring these homes up
to the decent homes standard that we have
achieved with all our other properties.
Our core objectives are developing and
managing affordable housing for rent and, more
recently, for low cost home ownership.
THCH was formed in March 2000 with Government
funding of £21 million secured from Round 3 of the
Estates Renewal Challenge Fund for the transfer of
1,249 homes owned by the London Borough of
Tower Hamlets, including 215 leased properties.
Further homes transferred to THCH in 2004
(Tarling Estate) and 2006 following the successful
ballot (via Housing Choice) of Norton House and
the Mansford and Avebury East Estates.
We continue to develop new units in our own
right and in partnership with other RSLs.
We have 4 offices, including 2 local community
housing offices and employ 86 staff.
Development and Regeneration – Our Vision
THCH owns a number of Community Centres
and rooms across Tower Hamlets.
THCH’s key objective ‘is to remain an excellent
community based housing association working
with partners locally to provide safe, high quality,
homes for rent, contributing to the social and
economic regeneration of the local community’.
Our community facilities are provided to enable
individuals and groups to engage in social,
recreational and sporting activities which will
enhance and enrich their lives.
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
THE BOARD
Nick Abbey – Chair, Board Member (Independent)
Nick was elected Chair of THCH in September 2015.
Until his recent retirement, Nick was Chief Executive of ExtraCare, a
charity supporting over 4,000 older people across the Midlands and North
England, joined ExtraCare in January 2010 following 28 years working in a
variety of senior posts in social housing for both Councils and housing
associations.
Previously CEO at Hereward Housing in Cambridgeshire from 1992 until
they joined the Sanctuary Housing Group in 2005, Nick managed various
roles within Sanctuary, including Group Director responsible for services to
tenants in 57,000 homes throughout England and Scotland. Nick is a
former Board member of the National Housing Federation and a former
Chair of a Local Strategic Partnership.
Nick is Vice Chair of ARCO – Associated Retirement Community Operators
– a trade body for both private and not-for-profit operators of housing
with care.
As well as being Chair of THCH, Nick is also the Chair of Hundred Houses
Society, a Cambridgeshire Housing Association with around 1,000
properties.
Committee membership: THCH New Homes Board,
Committee, and Nominations & Remuneration Committee.
Operations
Stuart Madewell – Board Member (Resident)
Stuart was appointed to the Board in March 2012 and comes from the
Shadwell and Wapping area. Stuart is set to serve until September 2016.
Committee membership: Audit and Risk Committee, Operations
Committee and the THCH New Homes Board.
Louise Ingham CIPD BA (Hons) – Board Member (Independent)
Louise was appointed to the Board in December 2013. Louise has an
exceptionally wide ranging career in Human Resources and is currently
Director of Human Resources at Citibank and is professionally qualified as
a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
(CIPD).
Louise previously held senior roles with Barclays, BP and Chevon Texaco.
Committee membership: Nominations & Remuneration Committee.
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
Ruediger (Rudi) Kloss – Board Member (Resident)
Rudi was appointed to the Board in October 2014 and is set to serve until
September 2017.
Rudi is a leaseholder of THCH and brings experience in terms of analytical
and financial skills to the organisation and experience through previous
Board roles. Rudi is currently Company Secretary and Committee
Secretary at State Street Bank UK.
Committee membership: Audit and Risk Committee and the THCH New
Homes Board.
Ken Beech – Board Member (Independent)
Ken was appointed to the Board in September 2013.
Ken has an exceptionally wide ranging career in bank lending and is
currently a Director of Portfolio Management, Structured Finance for The
Royal Bank of Scotland, where he manages relationships with a portfolio
of borrowers including some housing associations. Ken is professionally
qualified as both a banker and corporate treasurer and his key strength is
in structured lending, including financing leveraged buyouts, housing
associations, care homes and PFI. Ken was appointed in February 2012 as
a Trustee of BCCS, a childcare charity based in Essex and currently serves
on the Finance and Governance Committee as well as on the main Board
of trustees.
Committee membership: Audit and Risk Committee and the THCH New
Homes Board.
Carlo Gibbs – Board Member (Independent)
Carlo was appointed to the Board in October 2014 and is set to serve until
September 2017. Carlo is a resident of Tower Hamlets and a former Tower
Hamlets Councillor who brings experience at a strategic level to THCH. A
previous Board member and vice-chair for a local school, Carlo also has
legal training, finance and HR experience.
Committee membership: Operations Committee and the THCH New
Homes Board.
Philip Sullivan – Board Member (Independent)
Philip was appointed to the Board in December 2015.
Philip is the Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive of the
Havebury Housing Partnership, located in Suffolk. Philip's career includes
positions at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and Director
level positions at Guinness Trust.
Committee membership: Operations Committee.
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
Charles Moran – Board Member (Independent)
Charles was appointed to the Board in October 2014.
Charles is a Chartered Town Planner and brings knowledge of
development, planning and legal experience to the Board as well as firsthand experience of urban development issues and has worked on a range
of projects including Arsenal FC's relocation, the Shard complex and
various housing regeneration schemes in East London and the Thames
Gateway. Charles is also the Secretary of the Shoreditch Conservation
Advisory Committee and a member of THCH New Homes Board.
Committee membership: Nominations & Remuneration Committee and
Audit and Risk Committee
Faisal Butt – Board Member (Independent)
Faisal was appointed to the Board in December 2015.
Faisal is the Director for Housing Strategy and Advice at the London
Borough of Barking and Dagenham and has previously been Board Director
of Lambeth Living, the Arms Length Management Organisation for
Lambeth Council.
Committee membership: Audit and Risk
Clare Harrisson - Board Member (Council Nominated)
Clare was appointed to the Board in December 2015.
Clare is a Councillor for the St Peter's Ward in Bethnal Green and has
experience of HR, pensions and audit. Clare is a national officer for the
trade union, UNISON and is a Grosvenor at a local primary school, where
she chairs the Finance and Personnel Committee.
Committees: Operations Committee
Committee Members
Farah Ebrahem, Committee membership: Operations Committee.
Tim O'Flaherty, Committee membership: Audit and Risk Committee.
Thaine Wilson, Committee membership: Operations Committee.
Andrew Wood, Committee membership: Audit and Risk Committee.
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive – Michael Tyrrell BA (Hons)
Prior to taking up the role of Chief Executive in 2000, Mike was Head of
Area Housing Services at Tower Hamlets Council, with 15 years’ Local
Government service. Mike is committed to ensuring that THCH
continues to provide high quality services to residents. Mike takes an
active part in community issues in Tower Hamlets and has served on
many committees and has been involved in many campaigns. Mike was
one of the founders of the Ragged School Museum in 1985. He is a
member of the Tower Hamlets Safeguarding Adults Board and a
member of Placeshapers Board, a Director of the Ocean Regeneration
Trust, a Director and Chair of the Parmiter’s Almshouse and Pension
Charity and a Trustee of the Parmiter’s Education Fund (Bethnal
Green).
Director of Finance – Harneck Chilemba BA FCCA
Harneck joined THCH in 2005 following a 14-year career in social
housing finance spanning all three main strands of the registered
provider sector (large mainstream providers, LSVTs, and Care &
Supported Housing providers). He has worked as Finance Director since
1996. Prior to this he worked in a professional accountancy practice
having trained with Neville Russell (now called Mazars) in London.
Harneck joined the registered provider sector in 1991 through Family
Housing Group where he rose to the position of Deputy Head of
Finance by 1996. Thereafter, he worked as Finance Director at Ridgehill
Housing Association and New Era Housing Association. Prior to joining
THCH, he was Finance Director at Brighton Housing Trust. Harneck also
served on the Group Board of the Horizon Housing Group for six years
prior to its merger with Amicus Housing Group in 2005.
Director of Operations – Pam Bhamra BSc (Hons)
Pam joined THCH in 2016 following a 28-year career in social housing.
Pam has had a variety of roles in a number of organisations. Between
1998 and 2004, Pam was the Housing Services Director at Islington &
Shoreditch Housing Association. After there Pam worked at the
Southern Housing Group from 2005 to 2015: first as the Regional
Director for the Thames Gateway Area, which included Tower Hamlets;
and then as the Director of Housing & Resident Services. Prior to
joining THCH Pam was an Area Director for Catalyst Housing.
Pam served on the Board of East Thames Housing Association, now
known as East Homes, between 2001 and 2004.
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
ROLE PROFILE
COMPANY SECRETARY
Scale: LP08
Accountable to: Chief Executive
Job Purpose

Lead and manage THCH's Company Secretarial function and be the key point of contact for all
governance and regulatory issues.

Responsible for ensuring that the organisation complies with its legal and regulatory obligations,
the Board is properly serviced, the Chair supported and that the governance of the organisation is
exemplary.

Responsible for ensuring that the Board and Committees have a strong understanding of their
statutory and regulatory responsibilities and are supported in taking business decisions.

Lead on the co-ordination of the Board, Executive and the Chair of the Board to maintain a high
performing strategic Board.

Responsible for maintaining the Risk Register, embedding risk awareness and the risk framework
into THCH.

Lead on the discussion of strategic risk at Audit Committee and Board level.

Responsible for the co-ordination and management of Legal Services, including the management of
contracts.
Key Accountabilities and Deliverables

Responsible for Company Secretarial duties, including the completion and timely delivery of
statutory and regulatory returns.

Lead on servicing the Board and Committees. This will include:
 Responsibility for arrangements for Board and Committee meetings and Board Away Days
 Liaising with the Chief Executive, Chair of the Board, Chairs of Committees on meeting
agendas
 Co-ordinating, and as and when required presentation, of papers and reports
 Draft and maintain the Board Schedule and corporate calendar
 Minute taking at Board and Committee meetings
 Ensuring all Board Minute actions and matters arising have been completed
 Overall management of the AGM
 Contribute as a member of the Executive Team and ensure that the Chief Executive is
provided with relevant information and advice to enable well informed decisions to be
made
 Lead on the provision of a support service to ensure that good governance in decision
making, compliance and risk management is applied across the business
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
Key Accountabilities and Deliverables cont…..

Lead on compliance with the Code of Governance and present to the Board for the annual sign off.

Ensure staff, Board and involved tenants have signed the Code of Conduct and are aware of
procedures regarding Hospitality and Declarations of Interest

Support the Chief Executive in ensuring THCH has strong and effective governance and probity

Lead on the Annual Review of Board effectiveness

Manage the maintenance of THCH’s Statutory Registers

Lead on the drafting and review of appropriate governance related policies and procedures

Support the Board (and Nominations Committee) in succession planning, recruitment and
induction of any new Board or Committee Members.

Ensure that Board and Committee Member appraisals follow current best practice, providing
support for the Chair for completion of the appraisals.

Reviewing with the Chair learning & development plans for each Board and Committee member.

Responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance with all legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
governing areas of responsibility.
Strategic Risk

Responsible for maintaining the risk register

Overseeing the development and review of strategic and operational risk registers

Work with the Executive to ensure that the Board has determined its risk appetite, organisational
risk management framework and any arising policies.
Legal Services

Lead on maintaining and reviewing all legal contracts required by THCH

Responsible for the provision of legal support to services on a variety of matters relating to the
delivery of THCH’s business activities, including Tenancy Management, THCH New Homes Ltd,
common law, land ownership, commercial leasing and procurement matters

Where necessary, obtain legal advice and support via external contracts/agreements, in line
with THCH’s procurement rules and budget, and be responsible for ensuring the effective
performance of these contracts

Responsible for providing or procuring in conjunction with Human Resources, training on legal
matters for Board members, managers and other employees, as appropriate

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including the requirements of the
Environmental Information Regulations, the Data Protection Act
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
Key Accountabilities and Deliverables cont…..

Responsible for ensuring that legal considerations are effectively reflected, monitored and
reviewed in THCH’s Policies, Procedures, plans and other documents

Ensure that Senior Management Team and the Board are aware of changes in legislation and
professional practice, developments in case law and how this may affect them both corporately
and individually

In accordance with the Information Governance Strategy, manage the development and
delivery of Information Sharing protocols to ensure information sharing is carried out in an
appropriate and legal manner, particularly with regards to the sharing of information to ensure
the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.
General

Maintain and develop effective networks with relevant senior individuals and stakeholder
bodies internally and externally.

Develop knowledge based on the current and future requirements of the role – maintenance of
up to date CPE or study for appropriate qualification.

Lead and develop policies, plans, strategies and reports as required to deliver THCH’s aims and
objectives.

Attend internal and external meetings and participate in corporate teams to ensure complex
tasks or projects are implemented, as and when required, including providing advice to teams.

Ensure all THCH polices meet relevant (including regulatory) standards and good practice.
Role related knowledge, skills and experience on recruitment

Substantial experience of operating in a company secretarial role and at a senior level.

ICSA or equivalent qualification or willingness to study for an appropriate qualification (starting
salary will be dependent on level of qualification).

Awareness of key legislation and regulatory requirements facing the social housing sector
including knowledge of the governance arrangements of registered providers Standing Orders,
Code of Governance, Code of Conduct.

The ability to communicate and work well with people at all levels.

The ability to influence and negotiate with people at all levels.

Attention to detail and a well-organised approach to work.

The ability to process large amounts of data, analysing the data, and drawing critical conclusions
from it.

A diplomatic approach and the confidence to liaise with high-profile company staff and Board
members.

Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information;

Experience of dealing with Regulatory bodies and ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met.

Experience (not essential) of regulatory frameworks.

Experience of managing and operating a strategic risk management framework.

Experience of managing legal services contracts.
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
CORE COMPETENCIES
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
ORGANISATION CHART
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
14
Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(For information purposes only)
Position
Company Secretary
Salary
£60,000 FTE (based on 35 hours, pro rata for 21 hours)
Annual Leave
Basic entitlement is 16.8 days, plus two statutory days and one concessionary day taken at Christmas, with
an additional concessionary day to be taken at the Spring Bank holiday or a religious festival of your choice.
All staff gain an additional 5 days’ annual leave (but pro rata for a part-time post) in the leave year
following completion of 5 years’ continuous THCH service.
Pension and health
THCH offers all employees the opportunity to enter a Defined Contribution Social Housing Pension Scheme.
The scheme provides for deductions for the employees contribution to be made from salary and THCH to
make a larger contribution towards future pension benefits.
THCH arranges basic Simply Health membership (which includes a range of benefits) for all permanent
employees, as well as an annual health check. THCH offers every permanent employee who has passed the
probationary period, the opportunity to claim an allowance of up to £333 per annum towards the cost of
individual gym membership and/or the cost of any exercise course, for which any tax liability is met by the
employee. We also arrange Life Assurance for all permanent employees, while they are in the employment
of THCH, which is equivalent to three times the annual salary.
Working hours
This is a part-time role, requiring a commitment of 21 hours per week. We will have a discussion about how
that time is scheduled but it should include availability for evening Board meetings.
Notice
One month’s notice is required in the event of leaving the organisation.
Location
Your normal place of work will be our THCH head office at 285 Commercial Road, Stepney, London, E1 2PS.
Season ticket
In order to assist in reducing the cost of travelling to and from work, THCH advances loans for the purpose
of purchasing annual season tickets. Loans are interest free and repayments are deducted from salary in 10
equal instalments. (Staff on probation will be advanced the cost of a 6-month season ticket.)
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
ABOUT THE BOARD & COMMITTEES
The Board meets five times a year, in addition to holding two Away Days and an Annual General
Meeting.
There are three Committees of the Board: Audit and Risk; Operations; and Remuneration and
Nominations. The former two meet four times a year, the last one twice a year plus any ad-hoc
meetings (for example, if Board recruitment is under way).
The THCH New Homes Board meets four times per year.
All meetings take place on Thursday evenings.
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
KEY DATES AND
THE SELECTION PROCESS
CLOSING DATE
Friday 11 March 2016 at 12 noon
-
Prior to final interview (w/c 14th March) their may be a one to one telephone screening with one of
our recruitment consultants
FINAL INTERVIEWS
Tuesday 22 March 2016 (daytime and evening)
-
Panel interview which may also include some testing
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
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Tower Hamlets Community Housing
Company Secretary
MEDIA ADVERTISEMENT
18
Third Floor
Olympic Office Centre
8 Fulton Road
Wembley Middlesex
HA9 0NU
020 8830 6777
020 3434 0990 (Recruitment)
info@campbelltickell.com
www.campbelltickell.com
Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939
Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08