People: Johnson Fellows; AEW; Savills

CHARTERED surveyors Johnson Fellows has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme, opening its first office outside the Midlands, driven by opportunities presented by the Northern Powerhouse.

The Birmingham-based independent practice is to open a new office in King Street, Manchester, which will be led by Chris Litherland, a well-known property professional in the North West.

Litherland, who joins Johnson Fellows from Lambert Smith Hampton where he was associate director in the Manchester office, has more than 30 years’ experience in the commercial property sector.

He has particular expertise in the retail market, and specialises in dispute resolution, advising landlords and tenants on lease renewals and rent reviews.

Nick Wint, partner at Johnson Fellows, said the opening of a new office outside the West Midlands signalled a bold step forward for the company, which was established more than 30 years ago and whose clients include retailers, investors, developers, financiers and occupiers of commercial property.

“Johnson Fellows has a very strong market presence across the country and with more opportunities opening up in the North West, it made sense to have a permanent office in Manchester,” he said.

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MANCHESTER-based architects practice AEW has boosted its design team following the appointment of Dean Butler who joins as an industrial specialist.

Butler – who has more than 10 years experience in the industrial, distribution and logistics sectors – previously worked at UMC Architects in Nottinghamshire.

He has designed and delivered a number of high profile, large scale industrial and logistics schemes for developers across the country including Roxhill Developments, Prupim and Goodman International.

AEW managing director Steve Burne said: “Over the last 12 months, we have been appointed on a number of high profile industrial and logistics schemes with clients including dbSymmetry, Peel Ports and Peel Logistics. 

“As a result of our continued success, we have been looking for the right person to join us and Dean will be a valuable member of the team.”

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INTERNATIONAL real estate advisor Savills has expanded its Northern building consultancy team with five new appointments who will be based at the firm’s offices in Manchester and Leeds.
Paul Crowe has joined as a Manchester-based associate following two and half years at Dohertybaines in the West End of London and a previous role at DTZ. 
At Savills, he will work on instructions including a £1m reception refurbishment and external stonework repair scheme at the Grade II listed Bridgewater House.  The team has been involved with the landmark building for more than 15 years.
The Manchester team has also welcomed graduate building surveyors Graham Thorpe and Guy Crouch.  Thorpe worked in property maintenance and barn conversions before studying building surveying and the environment at Plymouth University while Crouch joins from the dilapidations team at Malcolm Holls.  He also completed a one year placement at Grosvenor Estates in Mayfair as part of his degree in building surveying. 
In Leeds, associate building surveyor Scott Green has joined following two years with Thomasons having previously held roles at CBRE and Donaldsons. 
The team has also welcomed Martin Hall as a Leeds-based graduate building surveyor.