Appointments: KPMG appoints new Liverpool chief; and more

KPMG has appointed the northern head of its property and construction division, Chris Fry, as head of its Liverpool office.

Mr Fry will take on the post from January 1 ahead of the retirement of the practice’s current office head Ian Goalen in March 2012. Mr Goalen had spent five years as KPMG’s Liverpool head of a total 33 with the firm.

Jonathan Hurst, head of KPMG for the North, said: “Chris has played a central role in expanding our North West tax practice and developing our property and construction sector team in the region. He has excellent pedigree as an advisor and a leader, and is well placed to build on Ian’s outstanding track record in growing our Liverpool office.”

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OBI Property has recruited Michael Morgan to head its asset management and professional services businesses.

Mr Morgan had previously ruin his own practice, Morgan Surveyors, which he set up two years ago following an eight-year spell previously with Bruntwood. He also lectures on property valuation and asset management at Salford University.

He said: “It’s great to be joining OBI at this exciting time in the growth of the business. I’m looking forward to working within a very focused niche firm and servicing a high calibre client base”.

Gary Scorah, investment partner at OBI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mike to the business.   

He is an experienced chartered surveyor with an excellent track record and will provide a new service which our existing client base requires.”

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AINSCOUGH Strategic Land (ASL) has boosted has recruited former GVA Grimley director John Brooks to help with the firm’s planning strategy and gaining consent for its sites.

Leigh-based ASL has a 700 acre portfolio of brownfield and greenfield sites, and Brooks has been brought in to help the business take advantage of opportunities being brought forward due to changes in the planning system through the government’s localism agenda.

Paul Martin, land director at Ainscough Strategic Land, said: “With momentum gathering at many of our sites and with a plentiful supply of new opportunities, the time is right to grow the team and invest in our planning expertise.

“We’ve had first-hand experience of John’s skills and we’re thrilled to have him on board.

“The Localism bill represents an opportunity for property businesses that are already using community consultation wisely.”

In July, ASL made its largest land acquisition to date, securing a 180-acre site in Durham. The firm also has planning permission for 156 family homes at a 17-acre site in Cuddington, Cheshire.

ASL was set up in 2007 by former Ainscough Plant Hire chief Martin Ainscough. It now has a portfolio of ten sites.

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EDWARD Symmons has promoted associate Mike Sanderson to become a salaried partner.

Mr Sanderson joined the firm in 2007, having been recruited to work within Edward Symmons’ collateral review and valuation team.

He will continue to develop new business opportunities, while providing ongoing services to asset based-lenders operating within the North West region.