The RTM and RMC Director Journey: What to Expect When You Take Control of Your Building
As property management continues to change and evolve, staying informed is more important than ever. Rendall & Rittner Co-CEO, Richard Daver BSc (Hons) FCIH FRICS FTPI, shares what RTM and RMC Directors can expect when taking control of their building. Taking control of their building is a milestone moment for any group of leaseholders. Whether through a Right to Manage (RTM) company or a Resident Management Company (RMC), stepping into the role of Director is both exciting and challenging. It is the point where residents move from being more passive contributors to active decision-makers, with the power to shape how their homes are managed today and protected for the future. Starting the process The journey begins with understanding the structure you are working within. An RMC is usually created at the outset of a development, written into the leases from day one, so leaseholders automatically become members when they buy their home. Directors are then elected to make decisions on behalf of the company and all residents. By contrast, an RTM company is formed later, under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, by leaseholders who want to take control from the freeholder. Both are limited companies with Directors bound by company law. For those looking to establish an RTM but unsure how to start the process, support is available. At Rendall & Rittner, we consult with residents to understand their reasons for looking to acquire the right to manage and provide guidance on whether the process is the right choice for them. We can then check that all necessary qualifying criteria are met and discuss the next steps towards establishing an RTM company. Your responsibilities as a Director Becoming a Director brings with it an increasing range of responsibilities, both from a legal standpoint and to the residential group being represented. Directors are legally accountable for building safety and compliance, how money is collected and spent, and for ensuring maintenance and investment decisions are made wisely. Fairness, transparency, communication and sound governance within the role are all essential traits of a good RTM and RMC Director. As with any company, future-proofing should always be front of mind. It is tempting to focus on short-term costs, but buildings age and evolve, regulations tighten and residents’ expectations grow. Decisions about service charge budgets, reserve funds and maintenance must have one eye on the future. Will the building still meet safety standards five years from now? Will investment in sustainability help lower running costs in the future? Directors who think ahead protect not only the quality of life within the building but also the long-term value of the homes they are responsible for. Another critical part of the Director journey is communication. Residents want to understand how their service charges are being spent, what plans are in place, and why certain priorities have been chosen. Clear communication builds trust and ensures residents feel engaged in the process, even when difficult decisions need to be made. The advantages of partnering with a managing agent Some of this may sound daunting, but Directors do not have go on this journey alone! Partnering with an experienced property management company can provide the knowledge and operational support needed to deliver on day-to-day responsibilities and long-term planning. Highly accredited companies like Rendall & Rittner work alongside hundreds of Directors of RMCs and RTMs across the country, offering services that range from financial reporting, accounting and credit control to health and safety compliance, contractor procurement and long-term asset planning, to name but a few! This kind of professional partnership allows Directors to focus on strategy and governance, confident that expert teams are handling the detail. Significantly, working with a reputable managing agent also limits the liabilities of RTM & RMC Directors. Looking forward Looking to the future, the role of RTM and RMC Directors is becoming ever more important. New building safety laws and regulations brought in by the Building Safety Act, the growing demand for sustainable living, and the evolving expectations of residents are reshaping the sector. For leaseholders, all these factors reinforce the need for good management. Taking control of a building through the RTM process or through an RMC is not only about service delivery today, but about protecting a valuable asset for tomorrow. The Director journey can feel challenging, but it is also extremely rewarding to add value to your own home and community and create a lasting impact. With the right mindset, clear communication and professional support, leaseholders who take on a Director role can ensure their homes are safe, sustainable, and thriving for the long term. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“Connected Realities”: 2026 Edition of Workspace Design Show in London Reveals Bold Theme Exploring the Fusion of Physical and Digital Workplaces
The future of work isn’t physical versus digital. It’s both, beautifully and intelligently intertwined. That’s the driving force behind Connected Realities, the newly announced theme for Workspace Design Show, taking place 25–26 February at the Business Design Centre, London. This edition invites exhibitors and visitors alike to explore how hybrid models, immersive technologies, and smart environments are reshaping the workplace, not just as spaces we use, but as environments we feel, engage with and belong to. “We’re moving beyond furniture and floorplans. Today’s most successful workplaces behave almost like living organisms, responsive, sensory, and human,” says Esha Bark-Jones, Event Director for Workspace Design Show. “Connected Realities is a celebration of that evolution, the moment where physical design and digital intelligence finally operate in harmony.” Rather than treating the theme as a backdrop, Workspace Design Show is turning it into a full-scale design challenge, asking exhibitors to interpret Connected Realities through the way they build and behave within their stands. Whether through AR-enabled product demos, blended material palettes, live data walls or wellbeing-driven sensory environments, the show floor is set to become a living exhibition of this reality’s workplace behaviour. A few of the leading brands already confirmed to participate include König + Neurath, Sedus, Bisley, Pedrali, Interface, Kvadrat, and Forbo, each set to showcase not just products, but perspectives on how connection between people, space and technology can elevate performance, culture and everyday joy at work. We are also working closely with our design partners Gensler, Peldon Rose, MCM Architecture, M Moser Associates and Area to bring this theme to life. Adding to the excitement, the inaugural Workspace Design Awards will take place live at the show on 25 February 2026, celebrating completed workplace projects from around the world. The Workspace Design Awards are assessed by senior occupiers, developers and workplace transformation leaders, meaning entries are evaluated from the perspective of the people who actually live with the results. Entry is free and open to architects, interior designers, design consultancies, fit-out companies, occupiers, developers and workplace strategists for projects completed between 1 January 2023 – 30 October 2025. Full details at workspaceshow.co.uk/awards Workspace Design Show is inviting the industry not just to attend but to participate in a collective showcase of how work can evolve when physical and digital no longer compete but collaborate. Key DatesWorkspace Design Show London: 25–26 February 2026Workspace Design Awards Ceremony & Show Party: 25 February 2026Awards Entry Deadline: 31 October 2025 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt London announces new leadership team with trio of appointments
Barratt London has announced three appointments to form a new leadership team under Mark Bailey, London and Southern’s Regional Managing Director at Barratt Redrow. Craig Carson has been promoted to Regional Director of Barratt London, stepping up from his previous role as Managing Director for West London, reporting to Mark. In his expanded strategic role, Craig will oversee all developments and aspects of Barratt London, leading the long-term direction across both divisions. With 25 years’ experience, Craig has a proven track record of delivering major residential-led mixed-use developments across the delivery cycle from site identification through to sales. Heading up the West London division, Paul Muldowney has been appointed as Managing Director. Following the merger of Barratt Developments plc and Redrow plc, Paul joins from Redrow London and strengthens the team by bringing almost four decades worth of expertise. Paul will bring a clear strategic vision for the division, steering key decisions and business planning. Danny Masters has been promoted to Operations Director for Barratt East London. Underlining Barratt London’s dedication to investing in people and focus on internal growth, Danny started his career at Barratt London in 2002. Having joined as an Assistant Site Manager, Danny progressed his way up to Project Director in 2015. Previously on the West London board since 2018, Danny will now lead the East London side of Barratt London with the support of Craig Carson. Together, this trio of senior appointments will bolster Barratt London’s leadership team by adding expertise and valuable development knowledge at board level. These appointments underline Barratt London’s unwavering commitment to London. The leadership team will continue driving Barratt London forward as a reliable and trusted developer. With a long-term vision for investing in neighbourhoods and leaving a lasting legacy, the team will oversee the delivery of high-quality, sustainable and affordable homes for communities across the capital. Barratt London is part of Barratt Redrow plc, the country’s leading national sustainable housebuilder. This year, Barratt London announced plans for its Lo-E Homes, which will deliver sustainable new homes across the capital. Built to exceed Passivhaus standards and in partnership with Places for London, plans for an initial 728 homes at High Barnet and Bollo Lane will be one of the largest scale Passivhaus projects in the country. Mark Bailey, London and Southern’s Regional Managing Director at Barratt Redrow, comments: “The appointment of our new leadership team will bring fresh perspectives and proven expertise, to accelerate our strategic growth and impact in London. Under Craig’s stewardship, they will work collaboratively to regenerate places, deliver energy-efficient homes and build neighbourhoods that create socio-economic value for London.” To find out more about Barratt London, visit www.barrattlondon.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
8build construction appoints industry veteran to drive commercial retrofit growth
Leading construction and fit out contractor, 8build, has appointed Steve Davies as Divisional Director, strengthening its leadership team as the firm seeks to expand its growth drive in commercial refurbishment and sustainable retrofit solutions. Previously a board member at Collins Construction and later a senior leader at Structure Tone London, Davies brings over 37 years’ experience in the London construction sector, having worked on some of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, The Shard, and the ‘Walkie Talkie’. Over the past 12 years, Davies has specialised in retrofit and complex refurbishment services, delivering major schemes for listed blue-chip property owners, institutional investors and capital managers, including The Crown Estate, Grosvenor, AXA, Frogmore and Shaftesbury. 8build has a proven record of delivering flagship fit out and retrofit schemes across the commercial, mixed-use, residential, healthcare, and cultural sectors, targeting £200m in turnover by year end as the contractor expands its client book. Notable projects include the ongoing More London development with St Martins, Sheldon Square and Paddington Central Amphitheatre for British Land, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres with Victoria Palace Theatre, and Lazari Investment’s The Lantern. In his new position, Davies will lead a London-centric division focused on commercial offices, building a team of specialists in fit-out, refurbishment and heritage projects to deliver Grade A space in an increasingly undersupplied market where prime stock demand is accelerating. Steve Davies, Divisional Director at 8build, said: “Retrofit and refurbishment in constrained markets like London are essential levers that unlock long-term value for clients. In these areas, 8build has developed an outstanding reputation for delivering complex, multi-year contracts with precision and skill, putting clients at the forefront of its practice and forming great relationships in the process. “Together with Andy and the Board, our focus is now on steady, sustainable growth that plays to the competitive edge 8build has carved out in institutional-grade commercial office solutions, meeting the growing need for stock that meets and exceeds incoming net zero targets.” Andy Tooley, Director at 8build, said: “Steve’s appointment charts an exciting new phase for our commercial retrofit division in London, where we see a huge unmet need for high-quality execution. “With his breadth of experience delivering high-profile projects for exceptional clients and his deep understanding of retrofit demand, Steve will add materially to our growth plans going forward as we broaden our client book and our strong pipeline of sustainable projects.” In London, 80%[1] of commercial buildings that will still be in use by 2030 are already standing, underpinning a market that is increasingly focused on retrofit to meet regulatory requirements and changing occupier preferences. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson and Jewson Major Build Solutions get cleaning to help protect the nation’s coastlines
Jewson and Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) customers, colleagues and suppliers came together in a powerful show of partnership to support the Great British Beach Clean. Thirteen branch teams took part in the nationwide initiative organised by the Marine Conservation Society, to remove litter, raise awareness, and demonstrate their shared commitment to protect the natural environment. The Marine Conservation Society helped the teams plan their activities and monitored the waste collected. Their efforts and the data gathered about the waste collected will now be added to national research to help shape future environmental policy and drive positive change. From St Annes and Blackpool to Scarborough, Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth, and Freshwater East Beach in Pembroke, Jewson and MBS’s teams got customers and suppliers involved as part of their commitment to having strong, positive community relations and to help manage environmental sustainability. As a responsible business, Jewson understands the broader environmental challenges facing the planet’s oceans. Globally, an estimated 1,480 shipping containers are lost at sea each year (1); these losses can release hazardous materials and plastics into marine ecosystems. By taking part in the Great British Beach Clean, Jewson is doing its bit to helpmitigate these impacts and protect the places its communities enjoy.Sabrina Passley, Head of Sustainability at STARK UK, said: “Protecting our natural environment is a responsibility we all share. It’s inspiring to see our teams, customers, and suppliers come together to make a real difference in their local communities. Initiatives like the Great British Beach Clean show how collective action can drive meaningful change and help us build a more sustainable future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AtkinsRéalis appoints new Buildings & Places Managing Director for UK and Ireland
New appointment brings range of services into one team to offer complete end-to-end service AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company, has strengthened its Buildings & Places team in the UK and Ireland with the appointment of Richard Bonner as managing director, bringing a wide range of services and expertise under his leadership. His appointment to the newly-created role leading a team of around 2,000 built environment professionals, is in response to the growing client need for a fully-integrated end-to-end service, from planning and building design to project management and programme delivery. The bolstering of the business unit will mean it can more effectively support clients as they meet the challenge of delivering the investments needed to position our cities, towns and high streets for economic revival. Bonner said: “Our ambition is about more than buildings and together with our partners we’ll be deploying our capabilities to support national and local government, our private sector and industry partners and institutions that fund and finance built assets. “The Buildings & Places market is at the heart of developing thriving communities and driving economic growth in our regions, from new housing, schools and green spaces to city regeneration and new towns.” Bonner, a Chartered Civil Engineer, joined AtkinsRéalis in 2023 and brings almost 20 years’ experience working with local and regional government, transport providers and the private sector to help them navigate the evolving demands of the urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals