People on the move: Savills; Robson & Liddle; PM+M; Elan; Buttress

International real estate advisor Savills has expanded its retail team with the appointment of directors Stephen Proudley and Jonathan Netley, who will be based at the firm’s Manchester office.

Both Proudley and Netley join from Lambert Smith Hampton, where they held senior roles in the retail and leisure team since the firm’s acquisition of Tushingham Moore in 2015.

They were previously two of five equity partners at Tushingham Moore, with Proudley having joined in 1997 and Netley in 1994, respectively.

As head of North West transactional agency at Lambert Smith Hampton, Proudley advised national retailers such as Primark and Next on the acquisition of flagship stores and international developer Vastint on the purchase of the former Tetley Brewery site in Leeds, paving the way for a major mixed-use regeneration.

Netley’s UK-wide experience encompasses retailer, developer and landlord advisory across shopping centres, high streets, retail and leisure parks.

Their appointment follows that of Andy Hall, who joined Savills’ out of town retail team based in Manchester in June 2018.

The firm has continued to grow and strengthen its network of retail experts based across the UK’s key regional markets with numerous senior hires over the past 12 months, including directors Stuart Moncur, Isla Monteith and John Menzies in Scotland and associate Russell McGill in Manchester.

Sean Gillies, head of UK retail at Savills, said: “Stephen and Jonathan are nationally recognised in the retail sector for providing trusted, strategic advice to a wide range of retailers, landlords, investors and developers.

“Their market knowledge, particularly in the North West, is second to none and we are confident their skills and experience will further enhance the best-in-class retail services we provide to clients across the UK. We are delighted to be welcoming them on board.”

James Evans, head of Savills Manchester, added: “We continue to believe clients benefit greatly from the provision of advice from experts based locally within their markets. The appointment of Stephen and Jonathan to our Manchester retail team follows that of Andy Hall who joined this summer, further emphasising this strategy and our regional strength.”

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A firm of chartered surveyors in Penrith has taken on student surveyor, Clara Levitt, while planning for its future.

Clara has joined Robson & Liddle to assist with its work advising farmers and landowners across the region.

20-year-old Clara will spend a year with the firm before returning to Harper Adams University to complete a rural enterprise and land management degree.

Clara Levitt

Originally from Beverley, East Yorkshire, she is the firm’s fourth student surveyor and will work with the team on a variety of work, including valuations, planning, landlord and tenant issues and estate management.

Clara, who is living in Skirwith, Penrith, during her placement, said: “Harper Adams has links with businesses across the country and I was really keen to take a placement at Robson & Liddle. It has a reputation for being a friendly firm with great clients.

“I’m enjoying the variety of work and meeting new people on farms and estate visits. It’s great hands-on experience for me and it’s interesting being able to put my studies into practice.”

Julie Liddle, a director of Robson & Liddle, said: “We have had many successful placements over the years, and it’s great to now welcome Clara to the team.

“These paid placements allow students to get valuable experience in the industry which sets them up for their future careers and they give us access to the latest industry knowledge through the next generation of chartered surveyors.”

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Blackburn, Bury and Burnley-based PM+M – the chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group – has welcomed its latest group of young apprentices who will be working in the firm’s Run My Business, Corporate Services, Tax, Wealth Management and Payroll teams.

The firm has appointed seven apprentices this year, which is one more than in 2017.

All seven will be completing a three-year training programme.

PM+Ms new apprentice intake

The new apprentices are: Anya Fallon, James Cocker, Ellie Manley, Rebecca Nuttall, Rebecca Taj, Mohammed Aamir Patel and Zayn Khan.

Working across all service areas of the practice, each apprentice will be studying towards a recognised qualification over the next three years, as well as gaining invaluable on-the-job training.

Jane Parry, managing partner of PM+M, said: “As a firm, we are fully committed to making sure that we invest in young local talent, so the apprenticeship programme is a hugely important part of the business. We are confident that these new recruits will further enhance the level of service that our clients have come to enjoy.”

Commenting on his apprenticeship, Zayn Khan said: “Myself and the other apprentices are really excited to be starting our training programmes at PM+M. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s one that we are ready for.”

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With 19 years’ experience in the housing industry and a new home owner herself, Sam Williams is helping Elan Homes grow its North West business in her new role as sales manager.

It’s a fresh prospect for the ambitious 40-year-old, who started out as a sales consultant aged just 21, when she followed in her mum’s footsteps.

“Joining Elan appealed to me as a new challenge and an opportunity for career progression,” said Sam, who previously worked for Redrow, Watkin Jones and Lovell.

Sam Williams

“It’s also an opportunity to focus on larger more executive homes, which is a completely different aspect of the housing market than I was dealing with at Lovell, which was more focused on first time buyers.

“One of the key differences is that clients who want to buy executive homes are likely to have a property to sell, so we need to look at ways of getting them into a position where they’re able to proceed with purchasing a new home.”

Sam is currently overseeing sales at sites including Canalside, Middlewich; Hope Park Mews, Macclesfield; The Hawthorns, Lach Dennis and The Larches, Wilmslow.

Niche developer Elan was established in 2008 and now employs around 100 people across a variety of disciplines, roles and professions in offices in Cheshire and Bristol and on sites across the country.

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Stephen Anderson has joined the board of directors at architects practice Buttress.

He joined the Ancoats-based practice in 2005 and was made an associate director in 2015.

He currently leads one the firm’s heritage teams, delivering projects involving the restoration, care and adaptation of historic buildings.

He also has considerable experience working with clients to access and deliver grant-funded projects, and currently acts as a Heritage Lottery Fund mentor.

His ongoing projects include a major four-year transformation project at the National Trust’s Quarry Bank, a strategic masterplan for the RAF Museum’s Cosford site, and the refurbishment of Grade II-listed Luton Town Hall.

Welcoming Stephen’s appointment, managing director, Gavin Sorby said: “Stephen’s knowledge and extensive experience of the heritage sector has contributed greatly to the growth and reputation of the practice in recent years.

Stephen Anderson

“I am delighted to welcome him to the board where I’m sure he will continue to make a strong contribution to the studio’s success.”

Stephen added: “I am pleased to be joining the board at an exciting time for the practice.

“The studio is currently working on a number of significant projects across the UK and has recently invested in new talent and technology to support our future growth plans.

“I am looking forward to working alongside the team to further develop the business and continue to deliver the very best for our clients.”

Established in 1988, Buttress currently employs 46 staff working across the residential, commercial, arts and culture, education, ecclesiastical, hotel and leisure sectors.