The Association for Project Safety (APS) has appointed Sofie Hooper as Deputy CEO. She joins APS from her role as Head of Policy and Research at the 11,500-strong global membership body the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). Sofie Hooper has spent much of her career as a Public Policy Advisor across a range of policies and internationally, predominantly in the UK and the EU. While spearheading IWFM’s Building Safety policy strategy, she co-authored the key industry post Grenfell report Safer people, safer homes: Building Safety Management and provided regular liaison with the  Building Safety Regulator, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other key policy units. This helped to influence the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022. Sofie was also instrumental in securing the inclusion of The Building Safety Alliance into pre-legislative Parliamentary and Government reports. In her new role as Deputy CEO at APS, Sofie will report to CEO Andrew Leslie. This newly created position will give APS the firepower to advance the development and delivery of initiatives created as part of its strategy to provide a centre of competence for our community on all things Building Safety. Sofie will focus on policy, outreach, and strategy development, leading on initiatives such as the APS competence and training schemes and to collaborate with other professional bodies and business partners. Moreover, her past-experience is ideally suited to deliver on the APS strategic objectives on organisational capability and helping to design a broader upskilling offer delivering against our members’ upskilling needs to meet the ever-increasing demand for specialist courses on Building and Fire Regulations in the four UK jurisdictions. Commenting on her appointment, Sofie Hooper said, “For three decades, APS has been the driving force in improving health and safety standards within the construction industry. I’m thrilled to be joining an organisation that continually strives to put excellence and innovation in building safety front and centre of a progressive agenda. I’m looking forward to engaging with APS members and our stakeholders to ensure best practice in building safety is not just vigorously upheld but proactively sought after.” Andrew Leslie, CEO of APS comments, “APS is delighted to welcome Sofie to the APS team in the newly created post of Deputy CEO. Sofie has a proven track record within the built environment and will add considerable knowledge and experience to the APS senior management team, and in particular provide essential additional support and expertise to enable both the President and CEO to deliver the APS strategy.”   His words were echoed by APS President Mark Snelling. He comments, “APS is extremely privileged to have Sofie join us as Deputy CEO. Sofie is highly respected within the industry and has been closely connected with the changes that have followed the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. I look forward to working with Sofie and Andrew our CEO to ensure the APS both supports our members and drives the change that is required to ensure that the tragedy at Grenfell Tower is not repeated.” Sofie Hooper takes up her new position with immediate effect. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wallace Whittle, the ESG, sustainability and MEP consultancy, has announced three new hires to support a growth surge across its UK project base. The business, which has nine offices throughout the UK, has been working on projects including the £1bn all-electric University Hospital Monklands, the mixed-use Dyecoats destination project in Leeds with Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, and Manchester’s Plus Ultra Life Sciences and Health Innovation Hub from specialist developer Kadans. The new colleagues joining the Wallace Whittle team are: Andrew Thorne, ESG and sustainability associate, London office: An engineer by background, Andrew is an experienced ESG and sustainability expert with particular expertise in healthcare. Murtaza Mohammadi, ESG and sustainability consultant, London office: With a background in architecture and a PhD in building technology, Murtaza will work with the team to support clients using Wallace Whittle’s proprietary ‘PathWway’ software; a tool which allows detailed, customisable benchmarking and tracking of the ESG parameters in a given project. His work will help clients to integrate building facilities, optimise construction efficiency and predict energy performance. Lucy Thomson, principal sustainability consultant, Glasgow office: Lucy also brings an engineering background and is a specialist in sustainability strategy. She has experience across multiple sectors and expertise in areas including energy demand reduction, life cycle assessments, BREEAM and HQM. Nick Hayes, director of ESG and sustainability at Wallace Whittle, said the team was now recruiting for several other new roles to support client growth. He said: “Andrew, Murtaza and Lucy are all brilliantly talented people who each bring a unique set of skills to our client projects. They’re already making a real impression with clients and the wider Wallace Whittle team. “We’ve seen very exciting growth over the last six months, particularly in the area of sustainability consulting. We’re actively looking for talented new people to help us meet the demand.  We want to find the best people in the market – Andrew, Murtaza and Lucy are exciting additions to the team and an example of the kinds of people we want to join Wallace Whittle.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

SafeSite Facilities has promoted Kerry Glyde to stock manager and has appointed Jack Lowdell as sales manager to support its growth strategy. Kerry, who has worked at SafeSite Facilities for 10 years, was promoted from the role of purchase ledger after working across numerous departments within the company. Jack brings a wealth of sales experience to support the business, which is considered a leader in construction, event site safety and security. SafeSite Facilities has also recently appointed Rob Blakeman, who will join the company soon as business development manager. Paul Goossens, operations director at SafeSite Facilities said: “We’re so pleased to promote Kerry, whose many years of experience have enabled her to know the business inside out. The appointment of Jack and Rob are exciting strategic new hires, supporting plans to expand our operations, build on client relationships and enhance our reputation for excellent customer service. I’m convinced they will all play a major role in delivering an exciting future for the business.” Kerry’s role will involve keeping a close eye on current inventory, managing replenishment, and making sure older stock is rotated or moved to avoid space issues, as well as ensuring the sales team can secure orders and deliver within tight time frames. Kerry said: “This new role is an exciting challenge that I’m genuinely looking forward to. “This position looks set to be fast paced, requiring constant adaptation and attention to detail as we ensure optimal stock levels for sales and hires. I can’t wait to put my experience into practice.” As sales manager, Jack will lead and support the sales team to drive revenue growth. He will also expand the business’ market presence, coach the team and ensure together they exceed their goals, while maintaining exceptional customer service. He joins the business with 15 years of hands-on sales experience and a passion for individual and team development. Jack said: “I was looking for the opportunity to join a company going through a period of growth. The chance to join a well-established team and be part of and contribute to that journey was a big driver in my decision.” Rob will soon join the newly formed external sales team as business development manager, bringing a proven track record of delivering results through a strategic, customer-focused approach. With extensive experience across both the construction and non-mechanical sectors, he is ideally positioned to drive growth and build strong client relationships. For further information please visit: https://www.safesitefacilities.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Black & White Engineering, a global engineering design consultancy, has announced the acquisition of Homan O’Brien, an independent consulting engineering firm based in Ireland. This acquisition is a critical move in Black & White Engineering’s strategy to expand its global presence, particularly in the data centre and infrastructure sectors. Established in 1990 through the merger of Robert Jacob and Partners (founded in 1955) and Seamus Homan Associates (founded in 1978), Homan O’Brien specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering design services. Their expertise spans various sectors, including data centres, healthcare, education, laboratories, commercial, residential, and industrial facilities. Mick Cairns, CEO and Founder of Black & White Engineering said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Homan O’Brien to Black & White Engineering, a business that shares our values and drive for excellence. Dublin’s strategic role in the global data centre market makes it the ideal location for strengthening ties with our clients, and establishing a regional headquarters in Ireland is a significant step in our growth journey. Homan O’ Brien’s strong local presence and specialist expertise align perfectly with our ambitions, and I’m thrilled to bring such talented people into our global team. It’s a great fit that unlocks new momentum as we continue to expand internationally.” Steven Horn, Managing Director at Europe, of Black & White Engineering comments, “Homan O’Brien is well-established in Ireland and its trusted team of experts will further enhance our expanding capabilities in region and support our European data centre projects, enabling us to deliver even greater value to both our existing and new clients.” Black & White Engineering operates across 18 cities worldwide with over 700 employees. With over 15 years of innovation, Black & White has seen rapid growth, achieving a 500% increase in size since 2020, and is highly regarded across industry for its technical excellence, data centre sector expertise and sustainable delivery across complex infrastructure projects. Simon O’Brien, Managing Director of Homan O’Brien, commented: “This is an exciting next step for our business. We remain committed to our clients and the team we have built, while gaining the scale and support of being part of Black & White to accelerate our growth and deliver more for our staff and clients.” Joint Managing Director Brian Homan will be retiring from Homan O’ Brien on 30th April 2025. Brian comments, “Having been in the industry for over 40 years I have taken this opportunity to step back and wish my colleagues at Homan O’ Brien all the success in their new venture going forward.” The acquisition is backed by Waterland, an independent investment group that partnered with Black & White Engineering in 2024 to support its rapid growth strategy. Waterland’s partnership has been instrumental in enabling Black & White Engineering to expand geographically and pursue its first strategic acquisition. Wendy McMillan, Partner at Waterland (UK) commented, “We are delighted to support Black & White Engineering as it continues to grow, expanding its capabilities and international footprint. The partnership with Homan O’Brien is a strong strategic fit bringing together complementary expertise, regional strength and a shared focus on technical excellence.” The two businesses will begin working together immediately, with future plans to scale and expand the team in Ireland to deliver a growing pipeline of regional and international projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HiiLIFE, a bespoke technology provider for the construction sector, has appointed Willie Robertson as Contracts Manager to spearhead business development across the firm’s construction channels. Willie’s role is a newly created position, and he will focus on expanding HiiLIFE’s footprint in Build to Rent (BTR), Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and hotel sectors. He brings with him over 50 years’ experience in sales and procurement, including a distinguished 16-year career at Samsung Electronics Ltd. Here he led the company’s commercial domestic appliance division to forge strategic partnerships with major construction clients such as Quintain Living, Moda Living, and Cortland Partners. Willie said: “After over half a century in sales and procurement roles, most recently within the construction industry, I’m delighted to join the HiiLIFE team. We offer a comprehensive range of products and services for many types of building projects, including Build to Sell, Build to Rent, and purpose-built student accommodation. I’m looking forward to working with brands such as Samsung as we deliver an affordable and smart proposition that covers climate solutions, audio-visual systems, digital signage, and domestic appliances.” This appointment marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing strategy to enhance its profile within the construction sector and establish long-term value through experienced leadership and trusted partnerships. Tom Brittain, Managing Director at HiiLIFE, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Willie to the HiiLIFE team as Contracts Manager. His success in building long-standing partnerships with industry leaders highlights the calibre of experience he brings, which will be an invaluable asset to our team. He is a highly respected figure in the industry and will play a key role in driving our expansion in the BTR, PBSA, and hotel sectors.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

United Living Group, the provider of infrastructure, affordable housing, property services, and telecoms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Kershaw as CEO of its subsidiary United Living Property Services. Claire is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in the social housing sector, covering property maintenance, refurbishment, and regeneration. She has held a variety of leadership roles in companies such as Mitie, Willmott Dixon, and Kier where she led business strategy and delivered operational, customer experience, work winning and procurement improvement programmes. Luke Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of United Living Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Claire to the team. Her professional credibility and strong leadership will be instrumental in driving our successful Property Services business forward, ensuring we continue to provide high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions for our clients and communities and deliver on our ambitious growth plans. “We are also pleased to announce that Vlad Nedelcu will be joining Claire’s Senior Leadership Team as COO of United Living Property Services. Vlad has played a pivotal role in PiLON’s journey, which United Living Group acquired in 2024, growing the business from the ground up into the successful and respected organisation it is today. As PiLON continues to thrive under the United Living Group’s Property Services pillar, Vlad will bring his proven track record and deep sector knowledge to enhance our operational capabilities and support our continued growth.” Both Claire and Vlad are Members of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIHM) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

CBRE has announced that Ciaran Bird, Chief Executive of its UK & Ireland advisory business, will be stepping down from his role. The global real estate services firm has begun the process of identifying his successor. Bird, who has led the advisory division through a period of strong growth and transformation, will continue to oversee the business alongside the UK Advisory Executive Committee until a new leader is appointed. Having joined CBRE in 2005 following its acquisition of retail specialist Dalgleish—where he spent 16 years—Bird has become a central figure in shaping the company’s strategy and expanding its presence across the UK and Ireland. Reflecting on his tenure, Bird said: “Our business has grown and prospered in ways I could never have imagined back in 2005. As I prepare to hand over the leadership reins, I do so knowing that the next chapter looks just as promising.” CBRE has a significant footprint in the UK and Ireland, with offices in major cities including London, Dublin, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Belfast, among others. The company’s UK advisory team currently comprises over 3,000 professionals. Chris Kirk, Global Chief Operating Officer of Advisory Services at CBRE, praised Bird’s impact on the firm: “CBRE holds a market-leading position in the UK advisory sector, thanks in large part to the leadership of Ciaran and the calibre of our team. We are grateful for his many contributions. The business is in a strong position for the future.” He added: “Ciaran and the UK Executive Committee will remain fully focused on driving the business forward, ensuring a smooth leadership transition as we search for the right person to build on our momentum.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Waterman is pleased to announce that Neil Humphrey has been appointed as the new CEO of Waterman effective 1 April 2025, succeeding Nick Taylor who has led the business for the last 17 years. Neil brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of the company. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives and ensuring continued success across Waterman’s operations in the UK, Ireland and Australia. With 30 years in the industry, Neil has been an integral part of Waterman, having served as a main board director of Waterman Group Plc, alongside his role as UK Chief Operating Officer. He has been actively involved in driving various strategic and operational aspects of the company and has also played a significant role with the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), where he served as Chair of ACE’s Procurement and Pipeline Advocacy Group. Neil’s appointment as CEO marks a new chapter for Waterman, promising continued innovation and progress. Commenting on his appointment as CEO, Neil said: “I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Waterman. We are entering a period of significant change in our industry, with digital innovation fundamentally reshaping what we do and how we deliver for our clients. I am excited to continue to work with our talented team to drive our innovation forward and position ourselves as the consultant of choice for our clients, our people, and new talent. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Nick Taylor for his exceptional leadership and the strong foundation he has built.” In handing over the CEO role to Neil, Nick Taylor commented: “I have full confidence in Neil’s ability to lead Waterman into its next phase of growth. His vision and dedication will undoubtedly drive the company to new heights.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals