Business : Appointments News
Barhale announces two new director appointments

Barhale announces two new director appointments

Civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist Barhale has announced the appointment of James Haddon in a newly created role of Director of Low Carbon Solutions and Joe Solomon as Regional Director (Eastern). Director of Low Carbon Solutions is a new board-level position which reflects both Barhale’s corporate commitment to decarbonisation

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Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director

Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director

Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025 Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14

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Robertson Construction Northern announces new Operations Director

Robertson Construction Northern announces new Operations Director

Craig Thow has been appointed Operations Director of Robertson Construction Northern, following nine successful years with Robertson Construction Tayside. Craig joined Robertson in 2016 as Operations Manager and has since played a pivotal role in delivering high-quality projects for public and private sector customers across Dundee, Angus, Fife, and Perthshire.

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BAM UK & Ireland appoints new Executive Director of Finance

BAM UK & Ireland appoints new Executive Director of Finance

BAM UK and Ireland has appointed Abigail Farrell-Black as its new Executive Director of Finance. Abigail joins BAM from Thames Water, where she held the position of Finance Director for Operations.  Prior to her time at Thames Water, Abigail held senior finance leadership positions at some of the UK’s largest

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Be First appoints Andrew Savege as new Development Director

Be First appoints Andrew Savege as new Development Director

Be First, the regeneration delivery agency for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, has appointed Andrew Savege as its new Development Director. Andrew joins from Wates Residential, where he played a key role in delivering major regeneration projects and forming long-term public-private partnerships. With over two decades of experience

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Business : Appointments News

Barhale announces two new director appointments

Barhale announces two new director appointments

Civil engineering, infrastructure and tunnelling specialist Barhale has announced the appointment of James Haddon in a newly created role of Director of Low Carbon Solutions and Joe Solomon as Regional Director (Eastern). Director of Low Carbon Solutions is a new board-level position which reflects both Barhale’s corporate commitment to decarbonisation and reducing fossil fuel dependency and also its focus on developing innovative low carbon solutions for clients. James Haddon originally joined Barhale in 1988 as a site engineer and rapidly progressed through commercial, project management and regional manager roles. He joined AECOM in 2006 and worked across their European operations for nine years before returning to Barhale in 2015 to take up the position of Regional Director (Eastern). Joe Solomon, who steps into the role of Regional Director (Eastern), started his career with Barhale in 2012 as a Quantity Surveyor after six years at M.A.R.S. Construction. By 2014, he had progressed to Senior QS, working on S101a schemes in Peterborough before moving into commercial management roles within the @one Alliance, Anglian Water’s highly regarded partnership delivering complex capital projects – of which Barhale is a founding partner. In January 2021, Joe was appointed to Head of Commercial for the Eastern region. For Chief Executive Martin Brown, the appointments exemplify how Barhale is promoting succession planning and developing the future leaders of its business from within.  “James and Joe are natural choices for these roles,” he said. “Accelerating our carbon solutions offering is a key element of our growth strategy and James’s expertise and wealth of experience provide an ideal combination to lead the drive. “Joe has worked closely with James for many years and he will continue to develop and grow our business within Eastern. He has an excellent relationship with key clients and partners and also brings huge enthusiasm and experience to the role. I look forward to him continuing to building Barhale’s business across the region. “Both appointments are in line with our business strategy and are a great reflection of the business’s agenda to recognise and promote talent from among its existing teams.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Panattoni launches strategic move into data centre development with senior hires

Panattoni launches strategic move into data centre development with senior hires

Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in Europe, has launched a major new initiative to develop data centres across Europe, the UK, India and the Middle East with the appointment of four senior specialists. Panattoni’s new dedicated data centres team will be led by Richard Wellbrock, who joins as Managing Director, Data Centres. He brings more than 25 years of real estate experience, including almost 20 years focused on the development of data centres. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer at Colt Data Centre Services (DCS), a leading global data centre operator. Richard played a key role in delivering large-scale, AI-ready data centre campuses across Europe and Asia , driving growth from 100MW to 1GW, including supporting a $1.5 billion joint venture with Mitsui. Joining Richard Wellbrock at Panattoni are; Nick Parker, Head of Capital Deployment, Data Centres, John Belton, Head of Development, Data Centres, and Paul Terry, Infrastructure Director, Data Centres. Nick Parker, who was previously Global Senior Director of Asset Management at Colt DCS, where he led over €5 billion in capital deployment strategies, supported transactions of around 250MW with hyperscale customers and played a central role in structuring international joint ventures and investment strategy across India, Japan and Europe. John Belton, who served as Global Senior Director of Development at Colt DCS, has around 40 years’ experience in engineering and data centre development. He managed Colt DCS’s global development portfolio, creating a pipeline capable of delivering more than 1GW of IT load across multiple countries. Paul Terry, who was Colt DCS’s Global Director of Development Infrastructure, led infrastructure design and delivery from land acquisition through to handover, managing major utility and technology programmes. All four will be based in London and report to Robert Dobrzycki, CEO and co-owner of Panattoni Europe, UK, Middle East and India. Robert Dobrzycki, CEO, said: “This is a significant new chapter for Panattoni. Data centres are essential infrastructure for the modern economy, and we are now building a world-class platform to deliver them. Richard and his team bring exceptional experience and insight”. Richard Wellbrock, Managing Director, Data Centres, said: “Panattoni has an outstanding track record of development at scale and pace. With our team now in place, we’re looking forward to growing the business across Europe, the UK, India and the Middle East, supporting hyperscalers, cloud providers and enterprise customers with high-quality data centre solutions”. Panattoni’s expansion into data centres builds on its longstanding expertise in large-scale industrial and logistics development, which has seen it deliver more than 23 million sq m across Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director

Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director

Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025 Acivico Group Appoints David Morrissey as New Group Managing Director Acivico Group is pleased to announce the appointment of David Morrissey as its new Group Managing Director, effective 14 July 2025. David joins Acivico with a strong track record in public sector leadership and local authority trading companies (LATCOs). Most recently, he served as Managing Director of HTS Group Ltd, where he led operations across maintenance, facilities management, environmental services, compliance, property services, and major projects. His leadership was marked by a focus on operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and delivering value for money. Chair of the Acivico Board, David Powell, commented: “David impressed us with his strategic skills, delivery focus, and consultative approach. His experience and leadership style are a great fit for Acivico as we continue to grow and evolve.” In his new role, David will lead the organisation through its next phase of development, with a focus on innovation, digital transformation, and strengthening client and community partnerships. Speaking about his appointment, David said: “I’m delighted to be joining Acivico at such an exciting time. The business has a strong foundation and a clear ambition to grow and diversify. I look forward to working with the team, our partners, and stakeholders to build on that momentum—focusing on innovation, collaboration, and delivering high-quality outcomes that will make a lasting impact.” David’s appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process and comes at a pivotal time for Acivico, as the organisation continues to deliver on its strategic priorities across consultancy, construction, and facilities management services. Acivico Group is a Birmingham-based, purpose-driven, multi-disciplinary firm offering an extensive range of built environment advisory services, including design, construction, building control, and facilities management. Guided by our vision to promote public wellbeing and sustainable development, we pride ourselves on our strategic partnerships and strong civic values. Established in 2012, Acivico provides comprehensive construction-related services, supporting landmark projects across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. We collaborate closely with our clients, delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative solutions that are cost-effective and foster civic pride. Our strategic partnerships, combined with our unique civic values, set us apart from our competitors. Maintaining strong relationships with local and central government, we remain at the forefront of industry changes, allowing us to guide clients through future impacts within their respective sectors and ensure successful project completion. Since 2018, our business transformation has seen significant investments in our people, systems, and processes, resulting in substantial benefits for our clients, including cost savings, enhanced customer experience, and improved quality. Our growing portfolio now includes partnership frameworks for both Constructing West Midlands and Legionella, and we anticipate continued growth as we implement our future strategy. At Acivico Group, we prioritize integrity, care, expertise, and ethical entrepreneurialism, fostering a culture of active listening, continuous learning, and calculated risk-taking. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to promoting public wellbeing, sustainable development, and Building For Good. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Robertson Construction Northern announces new Operations Director

Robertson Construction Northern announces new Operations Director

Craig Thow has been appointed Operations Director of Robertson Construction Northern, following nine successful years with Robertson Construction Tayside. Craig joined Robertson in 2016 as Operations Manager and has since played a pivotal role in delivering high-quality projects for public and private sector customers across Dundee, Angus, Fife, and Perthshire. His leadership spans a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, hospitality and commercial. Notably, he was involved in the delivery of a number of prestigious projects across the Tayside region including Scotland’s first accredited Passivhaus primary school, Riverside Primary School,  and the £26m office development in Dundee. With almost 30 years of industry experience, Craig will now oversee all operational aspects of project delivery in the Northern region. His responsibilities include ensuring projects are completed to the highest quality, delivered efficiently, on programme and within budget, alongside identifying and securing new opportunities. One of his first major projects will be the construction of a new business park at Oban Airport, which recently received planning approval. Craig studied civil engineering at Heriot-Watt University and has worked for several construction companies, starting as a Site Engineer and progressing to Project Manager before joining Robertson. Speaking on his appointment, Craig said: “With strong opportunities on the horizon and a solid pipeline of ongoing projects, it’s a great time to be joining the Northern business. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the team and supporting the business’ continued success.” Craig also acted as a Young People Champion for four years, responsible for delivering operational support to embed and enhance the Robertson NextGen Strategy. This is geared towards providing meaningful career development and engagement opportunities for employees aged 16 to 24 years. Craig added: “Ensuring there is enough development and support given to the younger generation is important to me and is fundamental for the industry. Through our dedicated team delivering small works, we are creating real opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience, earn qualifications and learn a trade on live projects. It’s a model that not only supports skills development but offers a clear career path for life.” Regional Managing Director Ian Phillips commented: “Craig is a strong and welcome addition to our high-performing team. He brings valuable operational leadership experience along with a deep understanding of the Robertson way of working. His expertise will further strengthen the business as we continue to grow across the region.” With offices in Elgin, Inverness and Fort William, Robertson Construction Northern is a trusted partner of choice for an array of customers covering Moray, Highlands & Islands, Lochaber and Aberdeenshire. It is part of Robertson Group, one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure, property and support services businesses in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New Leadership for Northern Retail at Christie & Co as Anthony Meadowcroft Steps Up

New Leadership for Northern Retail at Christie & Co as Anthony Meadowcroft Steps Up

Property adviser Christie & Co has announced the appointment of Anthony Meadowcroft as regional director, taking the helm of its retail and leisure brokerage operations across Scotland and the North of England. Joining the firm’s expanding retail and leisure team in 2023, Meadowcroft brought with him nearly a decade of brokerage experience, having worked on numerous high-profile business sales since 2015. His promotion marks a key milestone in both his own career and the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening regional expertise. Reflecting on his new role, Meadowcroft said: “I’m incredibly proud to step into this leadership position during Christie & Co’s 90th year. It’s been a privilege to work with so many talented colleagues and clients since joining, and I’m excited to build on that momentum.” He added that his priorities in the new role will include increasing collaboration across the wider business and advancing Christie & Co’s presence in the evolving convenience retail and roadside markets. “These are areas undergoing significant transformation, and our regional team is well-placed to support clients navigating that change.” The announcement comes at a time of continued investment in Christie & Co’s regional structure, aligning with the firm’s strategy to expand its reach and service capability across core growth sectors. Steve Rodell, managing director of retail and leisure at Christie & Co, welcomed the appointment, noting: “Anthony brings a great blend of energy, insight and ambition to the role. His promotion reflects our confidence in his ability to lead, inspire, and deliver results for both our team and our clients.” Rodell also highlighted the importance of maintaining agility in the current market: “As retail and leisure continue to evolve, having strong leadership across our regional teams is essential. Anthony’s knowledge of the northern markets and his collaborative approach will be key to driving our next phase of growth.” The appointment reinforces Christie & Co’s ongoing evolution as a specialist adviser in retail property and business transactions, with Meadowcroft now set to play a central role in shaping the firm’s strategy across key northern territories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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BAM UK & Ireland appoints new Executive Director of Finance

BAM UK & Ireland appoints new Executive Director of Finance

BAM UK and Ireland has appointed Abigail Farrell-Black as its new Executive Director of Finance. Abigail joins BAM from Thames Water, where she held the position of Finance Director for Operations.  Prior to her time at Thames Water, Abigail held senior finance leadership positions at some of the UK’s largest utility companies, including Southern Water and UK Power Networks. She brings over 20 years of financial, commercial, strategic, and operational experience in regulated industries.  Abigail will be part of the UK and Ireland Divisional Leadership Team and will report directly to Henri de Pater, BAM UK & Ireland’s former Executive Director of Finance, who has now taken up the role of Chief Financial Officer at Royal BAM Group.  Abigail Farrell-Black Executive Director of Finance at BAM UK & Ireland. comments:  “I’m excited to be part of BAM, an organisation that places sustainability and people at the heart of everything it does. BAM is on an exciting journey, going from strength to strength, and playing a key role in delivering the projects and infrastructure that are shaping the UK’s future — from critical infrastructure and net zero schools to leading the transition to green energy.   Its values align closely with my own passion for creating inclusive working environments, where every team member feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work and perform at their best.”  John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer BAM UK and Ireland, comments:  “We’re delighted to welcome Abigail to BAM. Her extensive experience in financial leadership roles across major UK utility companies makes her an excellent addition to our team. Her expertise will be instrumental in supporting our commitment to delivering strong, predictable performance, high-quality projects, and lasting value to the communities where we operate.   Her passion for driving digital innovation, combined with her dedication to building and empowering strong teams, aligns perfectly with BAM’s culture and values.”  Henri de Pater, Chief Financial Officer at Royal BAM Group said:  “At Royal BAM Group, we are proud of the progress we have made in recent years — delivering solid financial results while contributing to a more sustainable and better-connected world. This success is only possible thanks to the dedication of our people and the strength of our strategy, which is firmly anchored in our company mission, ‘building a sustainable tomorrow’.   I’m truly pleased to welcome Abigail to our team. Her deep expertise in the utility sector and her thoughtful leadership style will be a great asset as we continue to grow and deliver lasting impact together.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Kat Hanna Appointed Head of UK Market Intelligence and Strategy at Avison Young

Kat Hanna Appointed Head of UK Market Intelligence and Strategy at Avison Young

Avison Young has announced the appointment of Kat Hanna as Head of UK Market Intelligence and Strategy. Hanna, who currently serves as the firm’s Co-Managing Director for London, steps into the newly created role with a focus on enhancing strategic direction and advising clients and industry stakeholders. In her expanded remit, Hanna will spearhead efforts to help clients anticipate change, identify emerging opportunities, and stay ahead in an increasingly dynamic real estate market. Working closely with the firm’s market intelligence team, she will integrate advanced data analytics and AI with the first-hand knowledge of Avison Young’s transactional and consultancy professionals to provide meaningful, actionable insights. Hanna brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at Lendlease, Cushman & Wakefield, and the Centre for London prior to joining Avison Young three years ago. Nick Walkley, Principal and UK President at Avison Young, commented:“Kat’s deep understanding of the built environment and the UK market, along with her ability to distil complex insights into clear strategic guidance, will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate disruption and achieve tangible outcomes. Her appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering valuable and forward-thinking expertise.” Reflecting on her new position, Hanna said:“After three years at Avison Young, I’m thrilled to be stepping into a role that allows us to better connect our data and analytical strengths with both clients and colleagues. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptionally talented team of real estate analysts and global partners, combining their knowledge with my background in politics, policy and strategy to support informed decision-making and effective delivery.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Simon Carter succeeds Jessica Hardman as President of the British Property Federation

Simon Carter succeeds Jessica Hardman as President of the British Property Federation

BPF advancing merger with AREF and IPF to create new representative body to be called Real Estate: UK Simon Carter, Chief Executive at British Land, today becomes President of the British Property Federation (BPF), succeeding Jessica Hardman, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Aboria Capital, who served as BPF President from July 2024.  Simon has been a member of the Board of British Land since 2018, first as Chief Financial Officer and as Chief Executive since 2020, where he oversees a diverse portfolio including mixed-use London campuses, retail parks and urban logistics, as well as the regeneration of a 53-acre site at Canada Water. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of Logicor and prior to that Finance Director of Quintain. Simon, who has been a BPF Board Member since 2023, will work closely with BPF Vice President Jo Allen (Chief Executive of Frogmore) and Melanie Leech, BPF Chief Executive, to champion the role of real estate in driving economic growth and regeneration and lead engagement with government to shape policy that supports long-term investment. Simon’s appointment also comes at a pivotal moment as the BPF, the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) and the Investment Property Forum (IPF) prepare to ask their members to vote on a proposal to merge and create a new representative body for the industry. It is announced today that the new organisation would be named Real Estate: UK (RE:UK). Simon Carter, Chief Executive at British Land and BPF President, said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of President of the British Property Federation. Our industry plays a vital role in shaping places and supporting communities across the country, and makes an enormous contribution to the UK economy in creating jobs, unlocking investment and enabling innovation. “Under Jessica’s leadership the BPF has seen significant success in securing crucial policy interventions and support that will unlock investment into UK real estate. I look forward to building on that strong foundation to ensure the Government fully harnesses the power of our sector. “I hope that our members will endorse our vision to build an even more powerful new industry body in RE:UK, and look forward to taking the baton from Jessica to oversee that transition during my Presidency.” Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation, said: “This is a critical time for our industry as we work with Government to deliver the homes, workspaces and infrastructure needed to reboot the economy and drive growth. “Simon’s extensive experience and knowledge across finance and development will be invaluable as we manage the twin challenges of helping to shape policy that will unlock investment and accelerate delivery, and – if our members agree – transitioning to a new organisation building on the strengths of the BPF, AREF and IPF. “I would also like to thank Jessica for her dedication and outstanding leadership over the past year as we have developed and refined our plans for a new body that will represent the full breadth of the real estate sector and amplify our voice.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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TALO Appoints New Head of Operations to Drive Growth of Offsite Solutions for Ultra-Low Energy Housing

TALO Appoints New Head of Operations to Drive Growth of Offsite Solutions for Ultra-Low Energy Housing

Offsite housing specialist TALO has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Darren Pace as its new Head of Operations. He joins TALO as part of its continued expansion to further accelerate the delivery of ultra-low energy housing across the UK. His role is to enhance the client journey post-planning, including offsite manufacturing and site installation. Darren brings around 30 years of experience to his new role, having worked in both timber-framed construction and MMC for a number of industry leaders. Most recently, he led the construction of luxury homes in the Cotswolds for a global developer, which used timber offsite technology. At TALO, Darren will lead all aspects of project delivery, working closely with developer clients and housebuilders, their design teams, and TALO’s offsite manufacturing and logistics operations to ensure seamless project delivery to exceptional standards. Bengt Magnussen, Commercial Director at TALO: “Darren’s deep operational knowledge of all types of housing delivery, together with his passion for improving outcomes, is exactly what we need to help scale TALO’s impact. With his project leadership and a series of other new appointments, we are strengthening the entire product lifecycle – from design to delivery – and ensuring our clients benefit from an integrated, high-quality experience that lends itself very well to repeat business.” Darren Pace, Head of Operations at TALO: “TALO is doing something genuinely different. I have worked extensively with a number of different timber-framed systems for three decades, and the standard way of doing things has barely changed in that time. The housebuilding industry still uses wet timber and so has to accept shrinkage, cracking and weather-related delays. But that shouldn’t be the norm. TALO’s entirely dry, high-performance system avoids all of that. It is about speed, consistency, and quality. I am excited to help our clients deliver better homes, more quickly – ultra-low energy homes that exceed Passivhaus standards, and that aren’t handed over with snag lists. I also feel passionately about TALO’s wider vision to eradicate fuel poverty.” TALO’s panelised timber superstructure is currently manufactured in Finland using slow grown, dry Nordic timber. The system arrives on site complete with insulation, triple glazing, and internal plaster boarding. This dry, closed-panel solution ensures homes are watertight within days – not weeks – enabling faster fitout and higher performance for air tightness and insulation. As Head of Operations, Darren will work closely with TALO’s commercial and design teams to ensure a seamless transition from project inception to handover. Together, they will give housebuilding clients a streamlined pathway to achieve better quality, ultra-low energy housing with less risk, cost efficiency, fewer trades on site, shorter build times, faster return on investment and earlier occupation. TALO partners with residential developers, housebuilders and architects to deliver homes that radically exceed UK Building Regulations and the new Future Homes Standard – at no cost premium. Applications include homes for market sale, private rent, shared ownership and affordable housing. TALO’s solutions for low rise housing include the highly engineered timber superstructure, energy package and standardised foundations to enhance build quality, and deliver outstanding energy performance, verified by independent testing. For more information about TALO’s timber offsite solutions for housebuilders and property developers, see www.talo.co.uk or email hello@talo.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Be First appoints Andrew Savege as new Development Director

Be First appoints Andrew Savege as new Development Director

Be First, the regeneration delivery agency for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, has appointed Andrew Savege as its new Development Director. Andrew joins from Wates Residential, where he played a key role in delivering major regeneration projects and forming long-term public-private partnerships. With over two decades of experience and more than £5 billion of investment negotiated, Andrew has worked with local authorities, developers, NHS trusts, and universities to unlock complex housing and mixed-use schemes. As Development Director at Be First, he will lead the acceleration of new home development and unlock strategic opportunities across the borough. Andrew Savege said: “I’m excited to be joining Be First, one of the UK’s most unique regeneration and development companies. The team’s ambition and purpose are clear, and I’m looking forward to supporting the borough’s long-term vision to deliver much-needed homes, social value, and investment for inclusive growth.” Caroline Harper, Interim Managing Director at Be First, added: “Andrew’s arrival will bring significant expertise and refreshed energy to our Development team at a critical time. His experience in building strong partnerships and getting projects off the ground will be invaluable as we work to deliver for the borough and London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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