International construction and property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis group, has

appointed Gemma Prior as director and head of cost management for its London office, supporting the firm’s ambitious growth plans.

Gemma brings over two decades of experience in the construction sector to the firm, having held senior positions at AECOM and Currie & Brown. Most recently, she spent almost five years at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), where she progressed to partner and was responsible for leading the public sector cost management division in London. At RLB, she also held the role of national deputy head of education and contributed to winning several of the UK’s largest university and public sector frameworks.

In her new role, Gemma will focus on expanding Thomas & Adamson’s presence in the UK capital’s construction and property market, with an emphasis on several sectors, including residential build-to-rent and commercial office workplace and conversion. She will also seek to diversify into other areas, such as the public sector and life sciences.

Key projects already on Gemma’s agenda include a prestigious high-end residential development, cutting-edge laboratories, and large-scale façade remediation framework for a UK-wide housebuilder.

An advocate for diversity and inclusion in the sector, Gemma is an active member of The Circle Partnership, a mentoring network that supports women in construction by partnering senior professionals with the next generation of female leaders to support career development.

Gemma’s appointment follows the recent hiring of associate Stephen Hart to lead the London office’s newly established building surveying team, working alongside Gary Wait, who heads up project management for London, enabling the firm to offer a full suite of services to clients in the capital.

Founded in 1935, Thomas & Adamson has a team of over 100 staff across the UK delivering cost management, project management, building surveying, and construction safety services. The firm was acquired by global architectural, advisory, construction engineering and mobility services firm Egis last year, bringing a wider range of services to clients, including decarbonisation and sustainability consultancy.

John McGuire, director and head of cost management at Thomas & Adamson, said: “Gemma’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for our London office and underscores our commitment to strengthening our capabilities in the capital. Gemma’s energy and expertise in cost management will help us to capitalise on emerging opportunities across key sectors. Offering the full suite of construction services means we can continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and deliver market-leading projects.”

Gemma added: “Joining Thomas & Adamson at this pivotal time is a fantastic opportunity. The firm’s integration with Egis has created a strong platform for growth, and I’m excited to be part of the next chapter. In particular, I’m looking forward to helping develop the firm’s multi-disciplinary approach, while also working alongside Egis’s equality, diversity, and inclusion lead to foster positive change in the industry.”

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