People: Roland Dransfield; Peel Retail and Leisure; BDP; Muse; Steer; H and H Auctions; Simpson Millar; Leonard Curtis

Sophia Iqbal

Manchester-based PR and communications agency, Roland Dransfield, has promoted Sophia Iqbal to the role of account manager.

It said this follows 18 months of exceptional contributions to the business.

The promotion comes as the business celebrates new client wins, including BANSCO Construction Sunlight House, Department and The Royal Nawaab, and news that the firm will relocate to Gary Neville’s St Michael’s scheme with Gilbanks in May 2025.

Founder and CEO, Lisa Morton, said: “2024 has been a phenomenal year for us, capped off by a raft of new business wins and Sophia’s well deserved promotion. We’re excited about what’s to come in 2025, including moving into St Michael’s, which will be a fantastic new home for our team as we continue to grow and innovate.”

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Siobhan Ellis

Peel Retail and Leisure, the initiator of the retail park concept in the UK, has appointed Siobhan Ellis to the position of Property Manager for its Retail Parks division.

With more than a decade of property and asset management experience Ellis joins from developer Glenbrook Property. She will be responsible for more than one million square feet of retail space and an annual eight-figure rent roll.

Peel Retail Parks’ portfolio is made up of seven retail parks across the UK, with locations in Stockport, Gloucester, Edinburgh, Yeovil, Hyndburn, Washington and Barnsley.

Working out of Peel’s Trafford City headquarters, Ellis is challenged with implementing new procedures to help streamline the day-to-day operations of the Peel Retail Parks division, as well as identifying and securing new tenants in line with the business’s growth strategy.

Mark Whittaker, Managing Director at Peel Retail and Leisure, said: “We are extremely pleased to be bringing high calibre talent like Siobhan into the Peel family. She has garnered a great deal of experience across a variety of building types and locations and has an established track record of strong tenant relations and procedural excellence.”

Siobhan Ellis said: “It’s really energising to be joining a business that has built such a strong reputation and portfolio over the past 50 years, and which has never stopped evolving. I’m looking forward to meeting our existing tenants across all the Retail Parks and supporting them with the operations, while adding value with new names and consumer offerings in the space available to let.”

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Ged Couser

Ged Couser, Architect Principal at BDP, has been elected as the new Chair of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) North West Regional Council. Starting in January 2025, Ged will bring his extensive experience and commitment to inclusive, sustainable design to this influential role.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone who supported and voted for me. I am committed to championing the development of an inclusive, sustainable, and forward thinking architectural profession that serves both people and planet. I look forward to promoting community engagement in design and ensuring that our work reflects the voices of those it serves.”

The RIBA North West region represents more than 4,000 members and 300 Chartered practices, encompassing a diverse geographical area that includes Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Blackpool, Lancaster, Carlisle, the Lake District National Park, and the Isle of Man.

Ged’s election comes as a natural progression in his leadership journey. In addition to his role at BDP, where he leads the architect profession group in the Manchester studio, Ged currently serves as President of the Manchester Society of Architects. His architectural career is particularly distinguished in the healthcare sector, where he has led the design and delivery of major projects both in the UK and internationally.

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Tom Darby

Muse, the nationwide placemaker, has strengthened its team in the North West with the appointment of Tom Darby as Development Director.

Tom joins the Salford-based team from Bruntwood where he has worked for the past 10 years. Tom has helped deliver several transformational commercial and Research and Development opportunities across the UK.

Drawing on his experience, Tom will support the £100m Prestwich Village masterplan as well as the Innovation Zone in Salford, which is pivotal to the wider £2.5bn, 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan.

Tom’s appointment continues Muse’s rapid growth in the North West, with several of senior hires across 2024 which reflect a strong and expanding regional pipeline.

Phil Marsden, Managing Director at Muse-North West, said: “Tom has a wealth of experience, he will be invaluable as we progress our exciting and ambitious pipeline across the region. His knowledge of commercial and innovation-led regeneration will be crucial as we push forward with our plans for Crescent Salford and the sustainable regeneration of Prestwich Village.”

Tom Darby said: “I am proud to be joining Muse and look forward to playing my part supporting the team across the North West.”

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Dom Smith

Steer, a global consultancy specialising in critical services and infrastructure with UK offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, has appointed Dom Smith as its UK Active Travel Lead.

Based in Manchester, Dom brings more than a decade of experience from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), where he led active travel infrastructure projects, including the celebrated Bee Network.

At Steer, Dom will spearhead their UK-wide active travel initiatives, drawing on his impressive track record in developing forward thinking infrastructure solutions.

Nicola Kane, Steer Director for the North, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dom to the Steer team. His expertise in active travel network development and leadership in the delivery of high quality, community-focused transport infrastructure will be invaluable as we continue to support our clients in building sustainable, accessible transport solutions.”

Dom said: “I’m really excited to join Steer. I’m looking forward to using my experience from Greater Manchester, and elsewhere, to support ambitious clients deliver real change for active travel, at a time when creating sustainable, connected communities has never been more crucial.

“I look forward to using my experience in delivering transformative infrastructure projects to support Steer’s vision of fostering inclusive, active places across the UK.”

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Robin Anderson

Following another record-breaking year of growth in their auctioneering operations across the North of England, Carlisle-based Harrison and Hetherington has welcomed Scottish auctioneer and strategic business professional, Robin Anderson, to its senior management team in the newly created role of Head of Operations.

The company has seven marts across the North of England and the Borders and attracts buyers and sellers from all over the UK and, increasingly, overseas.

This appointment comes on the heels of the announcement of a significant £1m development at Borderway Mart in Carlisle, H and H’s flagship auction centre.

Currently based in Dumfries, Robin joins Harrison and Hetherington from a similar position as Head of Strategic Development and Operations for Aberdeen and Northern Marts, and his experience includes 20 years as Managing Director at Wallets Mart in Castle Douglas.

Harrison and Hetherington Managing Director, Scott Donaldson, said: “We are currently going through a period of growth, with many ongoing building and infrastructure projects at our various centres. The strategy of the business going forward is focused on futureproofing and growth, so as our teams continue running the day-to-day trading business, having someone like Robin Anderson dedicated to this is essential.

“I have known Robin for many years, so I know that nobody is better qualified, experienced, or skilled in improving efficiencies and processes in this business.”

Robin is a past President of the IAAS, a member of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association, and a former council member of the Farm Animal Welfare Council.

He said: “I am really excited about joining the team at H and H. It is a business I have always admired, and being part of it is an exciting challenge. I look forward to bringing new dimensions from my own experience to help build on the strong foundations already in place.”

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Karen Sullivan

Simpson Millar has announced a significant expansion of its Public Law division, which includes the appointment of Karen Sullivan as a Senior Paralegal in the Court of Protection Property and Affairs team in Manchester.

With extensive experience in the Court of Protection across both the private client and public sectors, Karen is also on track to complete her Graduate Diploma in Law by summer next year.

Meanwhile, Paralegal and Oxford University graduate, Issy Masterson, has joined the Health and Welfare team in Manchester.

She will work closely with clients on cases involving care provision, living arrangements, and court applications.

Liam Goggin, Head of Public Law at Simpson Millar, said: “These talented new hires will ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients and provide high quality legal support to vulnerable individuals across the country.”

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Chris Duffill

Professional services group, Leonard Curtis, has bolstered its property and construction specialist advisory team with the appointment of Chris Duffill, a dual-qualified Chartered Quantity Surveyor with more than 35 years of experience.

His career includes leadership roles such as commercial director at a main contractor, managing director of a property developer, and managing director of a multi-disciplinary professional consultancy practice.

Chris Duffill said: “I am impressed by the progressive and inclusive attitude of the company and its people, and excited by the opportunity to bring my extensive construction and contractual sector knowledge to Leonard Curtis’s significant client base.”

CEO, Dan Booth, said: “Chris’s appointment further strengthens our property and construction offering, which is recognised for a proactive approach to early intervention, providing dispute resolution, funding and restructuring advice.

“He boasts a track record that is rivalled by few, and his knowledge and expertise will be hugely valuable to our clients as they look to navigate the unique challenges that exist in the sector.”

The appointment follows that of highly experienced industry figure, Peter Vinden, earlier in 2024.

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