Opal

People

Opal regard people as our most important asset.

In addition to the senior staff listed below, Opal employs over three hundred staff who are key to the operation of every scheme.  We invest a great deal of time and energy in continuous staff training and development to maximise staff value, and are proud to have attained "Investors in People" accreditation in 1999, which is still held following continual assessments.

Click for more information on the senior staff below:

Opal Group Board

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    Stuart Wall
    Managing Director
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  Stuart Wall - Managing Director
  Stuart is the founder of the Group and has planned and undertaken the development of the Group over the last twenty five years. He remains heavily involved in the business and has overall responsibility for all areas. He has an eclectic and energetic approach which when coupled with a high integrity has lead to Opal being the company it is.

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• • 
    Joe Dwek CBE
    Non-executive Director
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    Don Hanson
    Non-executive Director
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  • 
    John K Berry
    Non-Executive Director
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  Joe Dwek CBE - Non-executive Director
  

  Joe spent much of his career with Bodycote PLC where he was Chairman between 1972-1998. During this time Joe steered the Group to become a FTSE 200 listed company and the accepted leader in the metallurgical field, employing over 4000 people in 17 countries. Throughout his career he has been appointed Chairman with numerous companies and organisations. He is currently Chairman of Penmarric PLC as well as several other public and private companies. Joe is a member of the Court at UMIST and previously the University of Manchester.

  Don Hanson - Non-executive Director
  Don takes an active role in all areas of Opal's development. His advice has proved invaluable, particularly on areas such as finance, strategy and internal control. Previous posts include being Senior Partner of Arthur Andersen UK. He is now on The Board of several public and private companies as non-executive director.
  John K Berry - Non-Executive Director
  
  John has spent his career in banking. His last role was Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate Business Division in Scotland. He takes an active role in all areas of Opal but with particular emphasis on finance. John is a non executive director of a number of other private companies.  

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Senior Managment

• • 
    Gavin Duncan
    National Operations Manager
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    Craig Mellor
    Funding and Investment Manager
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  Gavin Duncan - National Operations Manager
  

  Gavin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, originally joined Opal as Development Manager in 2000. Formerly Gavin had held Commercial Manager positions for the large multi national ABB and Winterton Construction in Australia.

  
  Gavin's appointment to the role of Operations Manager in 2004 saw him assume responsibility for the operational portfolio, ensuring Opal achieve maximum performance in all areas throughout this exciting stage in the Group's development.

  Craig Mellor - Funding and Investment Manager
  

  Craig joined Opal as Financial Controller in 1997 having formerly worked for IBM (UK) and as a Chartered Accountant at Price Waterhouse.

  
  During his time at Opal, Craig has worked closely with Stuart Wall to drive the Group forward and secure it's continued development.

  
  Craig's current role as Funding and Investment Manager involves securing long term funding and capital for site acquisition and new build projects.

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• • 
    Andrew Yates
    Strategic Support
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  Andrew Yates - Strategic Support
  Andrew joined Opal in July 2007, drawing on his wealth of experience working in the student accommodation sector to provide key strategic support to the Group.
  
  Starting at UMIST in 1978 as Conference Manager, Andrew became Director of Trading Services in 1986 and took over as Director of the Manchester University Sports, Trading and Residential Services in 2002, prior to the merger – a role overseeing a portfolio of 9000 bedrooms, 2 conference centres and hotels, sports facilities, conference operations, 700 staff and 16 catering outlets.
  
  Andrew has had a long involvement with Opal, agreeing the Group’s first ever University lease, Opal Hall in 1990.

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