A FORMER engineering apprentice has taken on a new role overseeing £70m maintenance work.

Craig Parrish has joined Middlesbrough commercial property consultancy Dodds Brown as facilities manager.

Mr Parrish, who previously served with the 1st Battalion Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire, will work with Dodds’ Richard Wilson, senior associate partner and head of property management, on maintenance of its £70m property portfolio.

The 34-year-old, a qualified electrician and heating and ventilation engineer, will start his tenure looking after the refurbishment of two office buildings on Teesdale Business Park, in Thornaby, near Stockton, and supervising the extension of a car park for Barclaycard.

Mr Wilson praised Mr Parrish’s appointment.

He added: “Craig completes our property management team, combining asset management, facilities management, property maintenance and accounts specialists, and means we are the only property management team on Teesside with these skills in-house.

“His skills and technical knowledge will enable us to offer clients a complete package, including planned maintenance, project management and health and safety compliance.

“It will also give us and our clients an added edge when it comes to managing mechanical, electrical and electrical systems and negotiating prices with contractors.”