A NEW planning manager has been appointed at Carden Group, as the strategic land business continues to expand. Josh Plant is the latest edition to the Carden Group team. He has a background in planning policy and promotion, helping to shape robust strategies and drive development opportunities through the planning system. Josh said: “Carden’s proactive, commercially driven approach to strategic land promotion strongly appealed to me. The opportunity to be directly involved in identifying and unlocking development opportunities, through a combination of policy and promotion work, alongside driving planning applications aligned perfectly with where I wanted my career to go next. “Joining Carden also offered the chance to take on greater responsibility within a dynamic and ambitious business operating at the forefront of land promotion and development.” Carden Group’s current portfolio includes land in Cheshire and Lancashire in the north, as well as land in Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Devon and Somerset in the south. A Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), Josh has an MSc in Planning from the University of Manchester and before that studied Human Geography at Manchester Metropolitan University. He joined Gladman Developments in 2018 as a graduate and progressed to senior planner, specialising in strategic land promotion, planning policy, and Local Plan engagement. Josh went onto become an associate planner at Hive Land and Planning, leading on complex residential applications, regeneration projects and local authority-led schemes. “At Carden Group, my focus is growing the pipeline of promoted sites, securing allocations through the Local Plan process, and helping deliver high-quality, sustainable developments that create long-term value for communities and stakeholders,” Josh, 29, who lives in Stockport, added. “My career goal is to continue progressing within strategic land and development, taking a lead role in delivering complex projects and shaping planning strategies at a regional and national level.” Challenges for Josh in his new role include “navigating an increasingly complex planning system, alongside viability pressures and evolving policy requirements, while still bringing sites forward efficiently” and managing a diverse portfolio of projects, varied in scale, complexity, and stage within the planning process. Carden Group CEO Will Heath said: “Josh is a welcome addition to our team and will play an important role in helping us to progress sites through the planning system. He has a proven track record of leading projects to successful outcomes, including securing committee approvals on complex residential schemes, and has been involved in Local Plan Examinations in Public where he’s helped influence policy and unlock development opportunities.” Carden Group has funding available to secure short, medium and longer-term development and strategic land opportunities via unconditional and condition purchase methods. Its funding model and industry-leading team of experts mean it’s primed to act quickly. The business will consider parcels of land of 10-acres-plus, capable of delivering 100 to 750 homes. This includes land which may already have a draft or adopted planning status within a local plan or land not previously promoted for development. For more information about Carden Group and to explore realising the potential of land, see cardengroup.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced the appointment of Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Bob Perry.  Patricia takes up the role after more than ten years with the federation, during which she has played a leading role in its growth and development.  Since joining DHF in 2015 as UK Marketing Manager, she has progressed through a number of senior leadership positions, including Commercial Manager, Head of Commercial Operations, Commercial Director and, most recently, Deputy CEO. A Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Patricia has helped shape many of DHF’s most significant achievements over the past decade.  She has led the federation’s rebrand, expanded its industry-leading training and qualifications, introduced CSCS card schemes and played a key role in developing industry competence frameworks.  Her work has strengthened DHF’s position as the leading trade association representing the UK’s door, gate, shutter and building hardware industries. As CEO, Patricia will lead the federation’s strategic direction, working closely with the Board, Executive Committee, members and industry partners to continue raising standards across the sector through technical guidance, training, advocacy and member support.  “Whilst we are very sorry that Bob Perry is standing down as the DHF CEO, we are delighted to appoint a very capable successor,” explains Chairman of DHF, Paul Browne.  “Patricia has played a central role in the development of DHF over the past few years in terms of the growth of our membership and the range of services and benefits that the DHF offers its members.  Given her outstanding track record and knowledge of DHF she is very well placed to lead the growth and development of DHF in the future.  We wish Patricia every success in her new role, which she so deserves.” “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of CEO at DHF,” says Patricia.  “Having been part of the federation for more than a decade, I know first-hand the difference we make to our members and to the industries we represent.  It is a real privilege to lead such a knowledgeable and dedicated team.  Our purpose remains clear; to help businesses succeed while raising standards across the industry.  We will continue to champion competence, professionalism and compliance, expanding our training and qualifications to meet the changing needs of the sector.  We already deliver training that aligns with BS 8670-1 and the National Occupational Standards, and I look forward to building on that work as we support the development of BS 8670-2 and continue helping both individuals and businesses demonstrate the highest standards of competence. “The industry is changing rapidly, with increasing expectations around safety, compliance and professional standards.  DHF is well placed to support our members through those changes, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead.  I look forward to working closely with our Board, our members, our partners and the wider industry as we continue to strengthen the federation and build on the excellent foundations already in place.” Under Patricia’s leadership, DHF will continue its commitment to supporting members through trusted technical advice, accredited training, industry guidance and advocacy, while helping drive higher standards of competence, safety and professionalism across the UK’s door, gate, shutter and building hardware sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Briggs & Stratton, one of the world’s leading providers of power solutions has announced the appointment of Jamie Bailey as the company’s New Business Development Manager for Electrification, leading Briggs & Stratton’s electrification strategy across EMEA. Jamie steps into the role following five years of successful development within Briggs & Stratton, having progressed from Service Technician within the UK market to Regional Technical Service Leader for Central Europe, later expanding his responsibilities to include Southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. In his new position, Jamie will lead efforts to support and accelerate Briggs & Stratton and Vanguard Battery Systems’ electrification initiatives across the EMEA region. He will help identify new business opportunities, strengthen customer relationships and support the continued growth of the company’s evolving power solutions portfolio as it progresses its transition towards electrification and new technologies. Over the course of his career at Briggs & Stratton, Jamie has built strong relationships across the business and developed extensive technical knowledge of a wide range of products and applications. Through his close work with OEMs, distributors, and dealers throughout the region, he has also gained valuable commercial insight and a strong understanding of customer needs across multiple markets. Philipp Deubel, Senior Director of Sales at Briggs & Stratton EMEA, added: “Jamie brings a rare combination of technical expertise, commercial awareness and strong customer relationships to this role. He understands both our products and our markets extremely well, which will enable him to play an important role in supercharging our growth and electrification ambitions across EMEA.” Commenting on his appointment, Jamie Bailey said: “I’m really excited to begin this next chapter with Briggs & Stratton. Electrification is a fast-moving and important area for our industry, and I’m looking forward to working closely with our customers, partners and teams across EMEA.” The appointment reflects Briggs & Stratton’s commitment to advancing electrification and innovative power solutions across EMEA. Leveraging his extensive experience, Jamie will support the company’s efforts to deliver customer-focused technologies and drive long-term growth across the region.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Workplace consultancy, Blueprint Interiors, is celebrating its 25th year in business with two new appointments, reinforcing its growth ambitions and commitment to investing in people. Tom Beeson has joined the Ashby-based company as Associate Project Director and Gemma Wort as Accounts Assistant Apprentice. Tom’s appointment marks the creation of a new senior role within the business. With 25 years’ experience in the commercial interiors sector, he’ll work alongside the directors to help shape Blueprint’s strategic direction and support the company’s future growth. Tom has previous affiliation to the business, having previously worked with Blueprint as a subcontractor and helped to successfully deliver one of Blueprint’s largest projects to date. Gemma joins Blueprint’s growing finance team, supporting the accounts function while developing her skills through a structured apprenticeship programme. Her appointment reflects Blueprint’s continued commitment to creating opportunities for young people. John Tansur, Commercial Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: ” As we celebrate 25 years in business we are firmly looking to our future. Tom’s appointment is an important milestone for us – his experience, commercial insight and understanding of our sector make him the ideal person to help us shape the next phase of our growth. “Creating this new role demonstrates our ambition as we ensure we’re well positioned to continue delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients as the cornerstone of our business. At the same time, we’re passionate about investing in emerging talent and recognise the importance of providing opportunities in our community and sector. Bringing Gemma into the business through an apprenticeship reflects our investment in the next generation. Welcome to both.” Tom Beeson, Associate Project Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Having worked alongside Blueprint previously, I’ve admired the team’s collaborative approach and commitment to delivery, so joining the team feels like a natural next step. Throughout my career I’ve focused on project planning, contract management and delivering high-quality interior refurbishment projects and I’m pleased to bring that experience to this new role, and to contribute to Blueprint’s continued growth.” Gemma Wort, Accounts Assistant at Blueprint Interiors, said: “Joining Blueprint is a great opportunity for me. I’m excited to be learning on the job, building my knowledge and being part of a company that’s investing in its people. I’m looking forward to developing my skills and seeing where my apprenticeship takes me.” The appointments mark the latest investment in Blueprint’s future as the company continues to grow its team, strengthen its expertise and build on 25 years of successful delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Savills has reinforced its commitment to delivering high-quality property management services with the appointment of Marcus Hutchings as Director within its London-based property management team. Joining the business from CBRE, where he spent more than 12 years and most recently served as Senior Director, Hutchings brings over 15 years of experience managing complex institutional property portfolios and mixed-use estates. His appointment reflects the continued evolution of Savills’ property management offering as demand grows for specialist expertise across increasingly sophisticated real estate assets. Based at Savills’ Margaret Street headquarters in London, Hutchings will play a key role in supporting clients across a broad range of commercial and mixed-use properties, helping to drive operational performance, asset value and occupier experience. Throughout his career, Hutchings has advised many of the UK’s leading institutional investors and property owners, working across large-scale, high-profile portfolios. His experience includes overseeing strategic property management mandates for organisations including M&G Real Estate and Shaftesbury Capital, where the focus has been on delivering operational excellence, long-term asset performance and effective portfolio management. The appointment comes at a time when the role of property management continues to evolve rapidly. Alongside traditional estate management responsibilities, today’s property managers are increasingly expected to deliver value through sustainability initiatives, ESG performance, digital innovation, building safety, occupier wellbeing and data-driven asset optimisation. As owners and investors seek to maximise long-term returns while responding to changing occupier expectations, experienced professionals capable of managing complex portfolios have become increasingly valuable across the commercial property sector. Katrina Mackay, Chief Operating Officer of Property Management at Savills, said Hutchings brings an impressive track record of advising some of the UK’s largest and most complex real estate portfolios. She added that his expertise in delivering operational excellence would strengthen the firm’s expanding retail and business space platforms, while supporting continued growth across the wider property management business. Hutchings said he was excited to join Savills during an important period of growth, describing the firm as having a clear vision, an outstanding reputation within the sector and a strong client-focused culture. He added that he looked forward to contributing to the continued development of the business and supporting clients across its expanding portfolio. The appointment further highlights Savills’ ongoing investment in attracting experienced industry leaders as the firm continues to enhance its property management capabilities and respond to the evolving needs of investors, landlords and occupiers across the UK’s commercial real estate market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as General Manager of its Durham Hub. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Stuart will be responsible for leading the team and managing all operations from the Hub. Prior to the appointment, Stuart was Regional Director at Jewson and brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. Part of the STARK Building Materials UK Ltd group of builders’ merchants and materials distributors, MBS provides tailored product and service support for large-scale building projects. Focused on volume supply and project-specific solutions, MBS helps major housebuilders deliver efficiently and consistently. Stuart said: “Having spent more than 25 years in the industry, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience every level, from working in the yard to leading teams as a regional director. Those experiences have shaped my approach and given me a strong understanding of what it takes to build successful operations and support our customers in the best way. “After several rewarding years with Jewson, I’m excited to take on a new challenge with MBS. The Durham Hub has enormous potential and I see a real opportunity to build on its strengths, drive further growth and ensure we continue delivering exceptional service to the businesses in the area who rely on us. “I’ll be bringing a combination of commercial, supplier and operational expertise to the role, but my focus will also be on developing the talented people within the business. Strong teams are what drive long-term success, and I’m looking forward to helping both the Hub and its people reach their full potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Flexible workspace provider, Canvas Offices, has announced the appointment of Kit Naidoo as its new Finance Director. Bringing a wealth of experience from both the ‘big four’ and flexible office space sector, Kit boasts a proven track record in leading finance teams to advance and scale businesses at different stages of development.  Established in 2018 by founding partners, Yaron and Oren Rosenblum, Canvas Offices provides bespoke, design-led flexible workspaces throughout London. Since the company launched, it has sourced, refurbished and launched 16 office buildings in prime locations including Mayfair, Shoreditch and Holborn. Now focused on increasing market share across London and overseas – while ensuring the Canvas brand is positioned at the forefront of the flexible workspace sector – Kit’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the business. Here, she will play a key role in integrating new technologies and in incorporating strategic finance leadership to ensure the business can keep pace with industry trends and developments, all while driving continued growth and expansion. Commenting on her new role, Kit said: “The role of finance is continuously evolving and has now moved beyond just numbers. For me, it’s about working closely with the leadership team to help deliver a proactive strategy that really shapes and helps drive growth. “Canvas Offices is at a really exciting stage, where one of my initial priorities will be building core financial and operational foundations that will support the business as it continues to scale. This includes embedding more agile systems to enable faster, smarter decisions, while allowing the business to respond proactively to industry trends and developments. I am already enjoying working with the team and look forward to playing a key role in this next growth phase.” Yaron Rosenblum, Co-Founder of Canvas, added: “We’re excited to welcome Kit to Canvas Offices. She brings impressive financial expertise, together with a modern and collaborative approach to leadership that aligns perfectly with our culture and ambitions for future growth and development – particularly when it comes to technology. Having already made an early impact, we are in no doubt that her people-focused mindset and strategic approach will be invaluable as we continue to expand the Canvas brand and strengthen our position within the flexible workspace market.” Headquartered in High Holborn, Canvas boasts an average 92% occupancy rate across its portfolio, with its spaces home to hundreds of thriving businesses – including leading brands such as Rough Trade, Stockx, Football Co, and Augustinus Bader. For further information please visit: https://canvasoffices.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

British Land has announced the appointment of Joanne McNamara as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the UK’s largest and most influential property companies. McNamara joins the business from Oxford Properties, where she currently serves as Executive Vice President, Europe. Oxford Properties is the global real estate investment, development and management arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), one of Canada’s largest pension funds. With more than two decades of experience across the real estate sector, McNamara brings extensive expertise in investment, development, asset management and strategic growth. Since joining Oxford Properties in 2010 as one of the company’s first London-based team members, she has played a central role in expanding the organisation’s European operations and helping build a team of more than 70 professionals across the region. During her 16-year tenure, she has overseen several of Oxford Properties’ most significant investment and development transactions, contributing to the company’s growth as a major force within the European real estate market. Prior to joining Oxford Properties, McNamara held senior roles at Hammerson and DTZ, further strengthening her credentials across the commercial property and investment sectors. She is expected to join British Land by the end of November, following the completion of her notice period, and will succeed Simon Carter, who is stepping down after five years as Chief Executive. British Land Chairman William Rucker described McNamara as one of Europe’s most respected real estate professionals, highlighting her deep sector knowledge, experience within private capital markets and reputation for strong leadership. The appointment comes at an important time for British Land as it continues to focus on high-quality mixed-use developments, urban campuses, retail destinations and sustainable property investment across the UK. Commenting on her appointment, McNamara said she has long admired British Land’s track record of creating and managing best-in-class places. She added that she is looking forward to working alongside the board and wider team to build upon the company’s existing platform for growth. The leadership change signals a new chapter for British Land as it continues to navigate evolving market conditions while pursuing long-term opportunities across the UK property sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Huws Gray, a national building materials supplier providing end-to-end solutions to tradespeople and the DIY market, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Mugridge as Operations Director for Plant & Tool Hire as the Company continues to target strengthening its offering and expanding its presence across the country. With over 30 years of operational and retail leadership experience, Jon has a track record of driving improvements and delivering growth. He began his career at B&Q at the age of 16, progressing from a checkout operator to General Manager, before moving to Homebase, B&M and WH Smith where he held senior regional management positions. Jon’s most recent role was with Brandon Hire Station, where he was National Operations Director. In this role, he led the implementation and adherence of a number of important procedures, implemented cultural change initiatives across the business and delivered improvements within its health and safety performance. Given his considerable experience and expertise, Jon will lead the Huws Gray Plant & Tool Hire division’s focus on operational excellence, colleague development, continued excellence in health and safety, and supporting the long-term growth ambitions of the business. Jon Mugridge, Operations Director at Huws Gray Plant & Tool Hire, commented: “I am delighted to be joining Huws Gray at such an exciting point in its journey. There is a real opportunity here to deliver a first-class service, expand our offering across the country and deliver meaningful growth. In my career, I have always focused on colleague development and creating safe working environments, with a strong belief in empowering teams to deliver their best results, and I look forward to continuing this at Huws Gray.” Shaun Allen, Chief Operating Officer of Huws Gray, added: “Jon brings a huge amount of operational experience and leadership expertise to Huws Gray, and we are delighted to welcome him to the team. His track record of developing teams, driving performance and leading positive cultural change speaks for itself, and makes him a fantastic addition to Huws Gray Plant & Tool Hire as we continue to target growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Modular construction specialist Reds10 Group has appointed industry veteran Steve Beechey as its new Executive Chair as the company looks to accelerate growth and expand its role in delivering modern methods of construction across the public sector. Beechey will join the business in July, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience at Wates, where he most recently served as Group Public Sector Director. During his time with the contractor, he played a leading role in delivering major programmes across defence, education and justice, while also serving on the Wates Group Executive Committee for more than a decade. His appointment comes as Reds10 continues to strengthen its senior leadership team following the recent arrival of Matt Thorpe as Chief Financial Officer. The move reflects the company’s ambitions to scale its operations and further establish itself as a leading provider of off-site manufactured building solutions for public sector clients. Reds10 specialises in modern methods of construction and has built a strong reputation delivering projects across defence, education, healthcare, justice, temporary accommodation and social housing sectors. The company’s approach focuses on manufacturing buildings off-site before transporting and assembling them on location, helping to reduce programme times, improve quality and support sustainability objectives. Central to its operations is a 300,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Driffield, East Yorkshire, where building components are produced in a controlled factory environment before being installed on site. Paul Ruddick, Chief Executive of Reds10 Group, said Beechey’s extensive experience in both construction and the public sector would be invaluable as the business enters its next phase of development. He added that his leadership and strategic insight would help support the company’s ambition to industrialise construction and expand the adoption of modern building techniques. Commenting on his appointment, Beechey said he was joining the business at an exciting stage in its growth journey. He highlighted Reds10’s strong reputation for innovation and its clear ambition to transform how construction projects are delivered. As demand continues to grow for faster, more efficient and sustainable construction solutions, Reds10’s latest leadership appointment underlines its commitment to driving innovation and supporting the wider evolution of the UK construction industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals