CDS Superstores, the parent company of Wilko and The Range, has appointed Antony Darbyshire, former property director at Matalan, as its new Head of Property. Darbyshire brings over 30 years of experience in the retail property sector to his new role, where he will oversee the expansion of Wilko’s concept
Oliver Jones-Orrells has been appointed to the assistant director role that will support development, investment and continued economic growth in Manchester. Previously Head of Estates at Transport for Greater Manchester, Oliver has working alongside the Council on projects such as Mayfield and Electric Park but originally started his career here,
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury
A sustainability champion has been announced as the Chartered Institute of Building’s vice president for the 2024/25 term. Professor Saul Humphrey, who teaches sustainable construction management at Anglia Ruskin University and picked up the Sustainability Award at the prestigious CIOB Awards this year, starts his journey towards becoming CIOB president
CTS, the leading provider of construction materials testing, and surveying and monitoring services across the UK, has appointed Matthew Johanson as Managing Director. He will work alongside Phenna Groups, Divisional Managing Director Stuart Abbs, and the CTS management team to lead the business. With an impressive background across a diverse
Top 10 UK homebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced the appointment of Ben Leather as Regional Managing Director, to head up the West Midlands and South West regions. In his role as Regional Managing Director, Ben will focus on implementing new strategies for the region, supporting the land acquisition strategy and driving
The Sheffield Property Association (S-PA), a dynamic group of businesses dedicated to enhancing Sheffield’s built environment, announces an exciting opportunity for an individual to become the organisation’s next chair. Since its inception in 2017, the S-PA has driven investment, opportunity, and prosperity, transforming Sheffield into a vibrant place for everyone
One of Scotland’s pioneering suppliers of EV infrastructure, FOR EV, has further expanded its team with the appointment of Graham Neill as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Supporting businesses in their transition to electric fleets through its bespoke ‘FOR Fleets’ proposition, FOR EV is paving the way for sustainable change
FM service provider Macro has announced the promotion of three new directors from its executive team. The newly appointed directors, all women, are Adelaide Forbes, Group People Director; Janyne Gan, Group Commercial Director; and Parris Ullrich, Regional Director of MENA & APAC. Adelaide Forbes Adelaide Forbes has been with the
E3P, a leading multidisciplinary environmental consultancy supporting the built environment, has opened its second UK office in Birmingham. The new site, located on Lifford Lane in Stirchley, is the first regional office for the Manchester-headquartered firm and offers an array of services. The Midlands office will house a new team
CDS Superstores, the parent company of Wilko and The Range, has appointed Antony Darbyshire, former property director at Matalan, as its new Head of Property. Darbyshire brings over 30 years of experience in the retail property sector to his new role, where he will oversee the expansion of Wilko’s concept stores across the UK and Northern Ireland, as well as manage the 200-store portfolio of The Range. Darbyshire’s previous roles include a decade at Matalan and nine years as Head of Property at Sports Direct within the Frasers Group. His extensive background in property management is seen as a key asset as CDS Superstores moves forward with its ambitious growth plans. Commenting on the appointment, Alex Simpkin, Chief Executive of CDS Superstores, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Antony to our leadership team. His extensive experience and expertise in property management are exactly what we need as we accelerate our expansion plans and build on our success to date. Antony will play a critical role in ensuring that both The Range and Wilko continue to thrive and reach even more communities across the UK.” Simpkin also highlighted the company’s focus on revitalising the Wilko brand through innovative concept stores, encouraging landlords with suitable spaces to engage with them as they increase the pace of new store launches. Wilko, which was acquired out of administration by The Range last September, is set to open its sixth concept store in Poole on 16 August, following successful launches in Exeter, Luton, Plymouth, Rotherham, and St Albans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oliver Jones-Orrells has been appointed to the assistant director role that will support development, investment and continued economic growth in Manchester. Previously Head of Estates at Transport for Greater Manchester, Oliver has working alongside the Council on projects such as Mayfield and Electric Park but originally started his career here, training as a Chartered Surveyor and working on Eastern Manchester investment and regeneration. He will take up his new role in August. During his time at TFGM Oliver oversaw a variety of property development and disposal activities including roles delivering the Bus Depot Acquisition programme which enabled the rollout of Bus Franchising in GM He also oversaw land assembly activities relating to the Trafford Metrolink extension including a joint venture with Peel at Trafford Wharfside, and he was a Director of the Mayfield Partnership. During previous roles at Manchester City Council, Oliver was the property lead for the Eastern Gateway which included roles working alongside private and public stakeholders to facilitate development and land assembly in Ancoats and Islington, Holt Town and the Etihad Campus, alongside secondments to the New East Manchester Urban Regeneration Company. Oliver will take up the assistant director for development and investment role from late August 2024. Oliver said: “Manchester has been a hugely rewarding place to live and work and the development and growth of the city over the last twenty years has been an immense source of pride for me. “But there is still much more we can do and I relish the opportunity to contribute towards the city’s continued ambition for sustainable and inclusive economic growth – and the creation of great neighbourhoods that strengthen communities, attract investment and create jobs that will make sure that Manchester continues to thrive.” Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “We welcome Oliver to our strategic development team where he will play an instrumental role in attracting further investment to the city, supporting sustainable economic growth and deliver exemplar investment for our communities. We look forward to working closely with him as he takes up this challenging role.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury technology packages for the construction, hospitality, and residential sectors. The business offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for all technological needs, including audio-visual (AV) systems, home entertainment, lighting, audio solutions, white goods, climate solutions, and smart home technology. Oliver said: “I was drawn to HiiLIFE by the company’s vibrant culture; the team is dedicated to working extremely hard, but also reward our efforts generously. The opportunity to continue working with Samsung HVAC equipment was another key factor, and it’s great to work in a new environment where we provide clients with one-stop solutions for all their technology needs. “I’m enjoying the team approach we have at HiiLIFE, where everyone works together to drive sales. Our culture is to encourage and support employees in achieving their goals and creating a clear growth trajectory for the benefit of both the individual and the business.” Oliver joined HiiLIFE from M&E contracting business, Chillflame Ltd. He joined Chillflame in 2014 and progressed from engineer to managing director within five years. Oliver increased Chillflame’s annual turnover by 350% and secured several large-scale clients such as Public Health England, Porton Down. Under Oliver’s management, Chillflame also won Contractor of the Year: HVAC & Specialist at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards in 2022. Oliver continued: “After thriving under the responsibility of leading a business and dealing with multi-million-pound contracts for the past four years, I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge to HiiLIFE. I hope that my keen eye for detail and experience managing accounts, projects, and employees will land me in good stead for my new role.” As sales director, Oliver’s focus will be expanding HiiLIFE’s market presence and driving sales growth. His primary aim is to foster strong, enduring business relationships while consistently achieving sales milestones. Tom Brittain, Managing Director of HiiLIFE, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Oliver to the HiiLIFE family. His extensive experience and proven track record in growing businesses make him the perfect addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership in the sales division will help us achieve our ambitious growth goals and further establish HiiLIFE as a leader in luxury home technology.” For more information about HiiLIFE and its bespoke packages, please visit www.hii-life.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A sustainability champion has been announced as the Chartered Institute of Building’s vice president for the 2024/25 term. Professor Saul Humphrey, who teaches sustainable construction management at Anglia Ruskin University and picked up the Sustainability Award at the prestigious CIOB Awards this year, starts his journey towards becoming CIOB president this month. He will follow in the footsteps of current President Mike Kagioglou FCIOB and President elect for 2025/26 Paul Gandy FCIOB by becoming president of the world’s leading professional body for construction management in 2026. “I’m very proud to have been asked to become the next vice president of CIOB,” said Humphrey. “CIOB is an institution I am privileged to have been a fellow of for many years and I look forward to working closely with the senior leadership team over the coming years. “I am also humbled at the opportunity to put sustainability at the heart of the construction agenda.” Humphrey left school without A-level qualifications and joined the industry as an apprentice. He has hands-on experience in several roles within construction, rising to become a managing director, and later returning to academic studies. He gained a bachelor’s degree at Heriot-Watt University before going on to do a PhD at Loughborough University. “During my career, I started to become more aware of the construction industry’s footprint,” continued Humphrey. “The industry accounts for around 40 per cent of global carbon emissions, so we’re a big part of pollution and a huge part of biodiversity loss. “I soon realised the importance of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which are of course a big focus for CIOB this next year. “I hope to use my platform to work closely with CIOB and the construction industry to showcase how construction can become part of the solution rather than the problem.” Outside of work, Humphrey prioritises spending time with his wife and two grown-up children, is involved in various charitable organisations and enjoys skiing holidays when he finds the time. Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, added: “I was fortunate to spend time with Saul and some of his Anglia Ruskin University colleagues earlier this year, learning about the links between industry and academia in the region. “While there, I heard him issue an impressive call to students to live their values and prioritise sustainability in construction. In addition, he is a long-standing member and a CIOB Award winner and I am in no doubt that his knowledge, experience and commitment will be of huge value to the CIOB community. “I am looking forward to working with Saul as CIOB vice president and then as the 123rd CIOB president, taking on that role in 2026.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CTS, the leading provider of construction materials testing, and surveying and monitoring services across the UK, has appointed Matthew Johanson as Managing Director. He will work alongside Phenna Groups, Divisional Managing Director Stuart Abbs, and the CTS management team to lead the business. With an impressive background across a diverse range of industry sectors, Matt has served 20+years in the Heavy Building Materials sector, working at a senior level with multi-product experience across Asphalt, Ready-Mix Concrete, Quarrying and Recycling, notably for Aggregate Industries Brett Group and GRS Group. Additionally, he has a vast amount of senior level experience for multiple Blue-chip companies, in sectors like international Supply Chain & Logistics, Automotive, Manufacturing and TIC, working for companies such as XPO Logistics, KONE and Element. Stuart Abbs commented: “It’s fantastic to have Matt join as the Managing Director for CTS. His strong operational background, business acumen, and customer-centric approach will bring great strength to CTS. Matt will oversee CTS’s overarching business strategy and work alongside me to drive business growth.” Matt said of his appointment: “I am delighted to be joining a company with such a great reputation in its field of expertise. What I am particularly excited about is the drive and initiative to embed a high performance culture, underpinned by the fundamentals of operational excellence. This will place the customer right at the heart of everything we do and allow us to innovate and develop the best services and solutions for our customers.” Stuart added: “Matt’s appointment supports our aspirational growth strategies in the Infrastructure Division. He appreciates what we are trying to achieve within the Phenna Group, and I’m confident that he will be a fantastic asset as we continue to develop and grow our businesses.” With a proven track record of driving business top-line and bottom-line growth through effective operational excellence, robust commercial and entrepreneurial strategies. Matt has strong experience in delivering business transformation, through formulating and implementing initiatives to improve organisational performance, raise operating efficiencies and increase shareholder value. Matt holds a Masters in Management Studies from Kingston University and is a strong advocate of professional and personal development, having also undertaken advanced development programs at both Cranfield Business School and London Business School. He is married with three children and has a passion for personal fitness and cooking. With headquarters in Leicester and a nationwide network of laboratories and offices offering a wide range of Construction Materials Testing, and Surveying and Monitoring services, CTS is the go-to partner of choice. It supports all sectors of the construction market, including residential, commercial, rail, road, airports, tunnelling, mining, utilities, and brownfield regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK homebuilder, Keepmoat, has announced the appointment of Ben Leather as Regional Managing Director, to head up the West Midlands and South West regions. In his role as Regional Managing Director, Ben will focus on implementing new strategies for the region, supporting the land acquisition strategy and driving growth in key areas to deliver quality new homes for local people, regenerate disused and abandoned brownfield land and create affordable housing options. With a wealth of experience within the sector, Ben most recently worked as Managing Director at Spitfire. He brings more than 20 years’ industry experience to the role with extensive knowledge of growing and scaling business operations, securing land and building partnerships. Commenting on his appointment, Ben said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed by such a well-established, national homebuilder. Over the past few years the West Midlands and South West has seen significant successes and has grown to become one of Keepmoat’s flagship regions. I have a strong track record sourcing and securing new land opportunities and I look forward to bringing my expertise from previous roles as both Land Director and Managing Director. “Keepmoat’s vision is to build communities and transform lives, and its sustainability activity contributes towards the delivery of this ambition. I strive towards achieving the company’s goal of improving the quality of new homes and creating communities that leave a lasting legacy for future generations.” Keepmoat West Midlands and South West has multiple live developments operating from Birmingham down to Bristol. Flagship partnerships are ongoing with Homes England, North Somerset Council, and local housing associations. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat, added: “I’m really pleased that Ben has joined the team and I look forward to working with him to further strengthen our land pipeline and support the growth of our business. “Our West Midlands and South West team is currently delivering across five operational sites and has completed 240 new homes in the last year. We specialise in developing brownfield land and we are committed to building 4,000 future homes with net carbon zero emissions – namely on our Winterstoke Gate development in Weston-super-Mare. I’m excited to see Ben push forward our goal to regenerate areas through our partnership model and drive relationships with landowners to create thriving, sustainable communities.” To find out more about Keepmoat, please visit: www.keepmoat.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Sheffield Property Association (S-PA), a dynamic group of businesses dedicated to enhancing Sheffield’s built environment, announces an exciting opportunity for an individual to become the organisation’s next chair. Since its inception in 2017, the S-PA has driven investment, opportunity, and prosperity, transforming Sheffield into a vibrant place for everyone who lives, works, and socialises in the city. Their core mission focuses on supporting, celebrating, and promoting Sheffield, strengthening the city’s communities through continuous collaboration with land-owning and development businesses. The new chair will lead the board through its next phase of growth and development, building networks and partnerships for the directors, Priority Groups and S-PA members. As a key ambassador for the S-PA, the individual must be a strong communicator and have a talent for discovering projects and initiatives at local, regional, and national levels. The S-PA has already brought together over 80 companies in the Sheffield region as part of their membership. Everyone involved shares a vision to improve Sheffield’s built environment, drive investment and prosperity, build strong relationships with stakeholders and partners, and inspire young people about career opportunities in the city. Tim Bottrill, director of the Sheffield Property Association, said: “It’s wonderful to see all that we have accomplished so far at the Sheffield Property Association, particularly our events that unite our members to celebrate and discuss the work we are doing. “Our outgoing chair, Martin McKervey, has been exceptional in his role and has served as the board’s central point of contact for official communication with us and the Priority Groups. “We look forward to welcoming our next chair to continue this dedication, as they will play an important role in leading our board meetings, encouraging all members to continue their participation and support our vision, as well as championing the S-PA across a diverse stakeholder group.” This voluntary role requires one to two days of commitment per month for a term of three years, with the option to stay on for a further three years and is open to all interested parties. For the full job description or to express your interest, please contact info@sheffieldpropertyassociation.com. Deadline for applications is September 13 2024.
One of Scotland’s pioneering suppliers of EV infrastructure, FOR EV, has further expanded its team with the appointment of Graham Neill as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Supporting businesses in their transition to electric fleets through its bespoke ‘FOR Fleets’ proposition, FOR EV is paving the way for sustainable change across the country. In addition to its innovative fleet solution, the company is soon to launch its 30th public charging hub in Scotland, supporting both Government’s net zero ambitions and the drive to shift the UK to electric vehicles as standard. Graham joins FOR EV from his previous role as Investment Director at N4 Partners. With a background in professional services, debt finance and private equity, Graham has exceptional expertise across strategy and finance, having worked with several global businesses spanning sectors including oil and gas, renewables and financial services. His appointment marks another step in FOR EV’s successful journey, three years on from the Scottish National Investment Bank’s initial equity investment in 2021. The Bank has since provided additional funding to FOR EV, with the latest £10m investment announced in June. The funding supercharges the company’s plans to scale up its fleet offering and further grow its network of accessible charging destinations across the UK. To boost its ambitions to bring reliable, high-quality EV charge points to even more locations, the company plans to go to market later this year for its next round of scale-up investment. Discussing his appointment, Graham Neill, CFO at FOR EV said: “Making this move into the EV sector is a very exciting next step in my career. The EV world has grown significantly over the past decade, and this is only set to continue at pace as more fleets and drivers embrace electric vehicles. It’s a fast-moving industry, and one that supports Government ambition both in Scotland and the UK. “As a company that puts all of its effort into positively impacting both people and the planet, FOR EV has established a leading market position within the EV sector and is perfectly positioned to lead the pack. I look forward to contributing to its growth journey.” FOR EV’s CEO, Steve Dunlop, said: “Graham joins our team with fantastic knowledge of the financial landscape. After several years of growth, we’re now at a pivotal point in FOR EV’s success as we venture the wider market for funding to underpin our next growth stage. “Graham will be pivotal to realising our aspirations to help even more businesses in their transition towards sustainable EV fleets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FM service provider Macro has announced the promotion of three new directors from its executive team. The newly appointed directors, all women, are Adelaide Forbes, Group People Director; Janyne Gan, Group Commercial Director; and Parris Ullrich, Regional Director of MENA & APAC. Adelaide Forbes Adelaide Forbes has been with the company for 12 years, starting as an HR business partner for the UK and Europe. She commented: “I’ve been enormously energised by the challenge of positioning the people side of our business for Macro’s exciting next chapter. To now be promoted to the Global People Director role is, to me, further evidence of Macro’s commitment to delivering a market-leading people experience.” Janyne Gan Janyne Gan, Global Commercial Director, joined Macro three years ago with responsibilities that include bids, commercial, supply chain, and mobilisation. She said: “It’s such an exciting time to be a part of Macro, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to impact the future of the business in my new leadership role. Specifically, my team is focused on further strengthening and integrating our supply chain and designing client solutions that deliver impact, excellence, and value.” Parris Ullrich Parris Ullrich joined Macro in 2009 as a facilities manager in Dubai and worked her way up to Operations Director for the Middle East. Today, she plays an active role in raising the profile of women in leadership within the Middle East. Parris stated: “I’m honoured to have the trust and confidence from Macro leaders to continue to elevate and strengthen our client-focused service delivery across Asia and the Middle East. I remain focused on unlocking further growth around the world by developing our people, driving operational efficiency for clients, and leveraging technology and innovation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
E3P, a leading multidisciplinary environmental consultancy supporting the built environment, has opened its second UK office in Birmingham. The new site, located on Lifford Lane in Stirchley, is the first regional office for the Manchester-headquartered firm and offers an array of services. The Midlands office will house a new team of specialist consultants offering several multidisciplinary services including environmental, ecological, acoustics and geotechnical work. Existing company director, Stephanie Cox, has been appointed as Managing Director of the Midlands. She joined E3P more than a decade ago and will oversee the opening of the new site. In her new role, Cox will manage the day-to-day operations of the Birmingham office and will drive new business across the region through new and existing clients. Cox will split her time between the North West and Midlands, remaining a key presence in Manchester through her role as a director. E3P, which currently employs more than 70 people, will use the new base to increase its presence nationally and open up opportunities in the region, as well as in the South of England. The Birmingham-based team will also support the senior management team in Manchester, enabling them to better support existing clients. The additional expertise across the UK will help to ensure a greater depth of knowledge, which can be shared and drawn upon to deliver even the most challenging projects. The expansion is set to create several new jobs in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, with E3P aiming to build a team of 20 in the next two years. Medium to long term ambitions include creating a centre of excellence that will employ between 75 and 100 professionals. The move follows a strong decade of organic growth for E3P, which has gone from strength to strength since its inception, and will enable its team of experts to better serve its growing client base. Stephanie Cox, Director at E3P said: “It’s been an incredible decade for E3P. Expanding our presence to the Midlands and the South with a new office was a natural next step, and I’m thrilled to be at the helm of it. “With such significant regeneration ongoing in the Midlands, as well as strong levels of house building planned, Birmingham was an easy choice for our expansion. I’m confident that, in my new role, I can build strong relationships and a solid foundation for a hugely successful office. “We have an incredibly ambitious and talented team, including 15 chartered professionals, who can draw on expertise nationally to ensure the delivery of all projects to the highest standard. Meanwhile, having a local team in place also enables us to maintain personal client relationships and deliver projects in a sustainable way. The new office is a win-win for our business and our clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
