People: Muse; Kennedys; PJA

Muse, the nationwide placemaker, has continued to grow its team in the Midlands with the appointment of Marcus Harrington as project manager.

Harrington joins from Avison Young, where he has supported regeneration across the Midlands, London and the UK.

This includes the landmark refurbishments of Adelaide House and CB1 in Cambridge – a major mixed-use, sustainable,
regeneration to revitalise the Station Road area of the city.

More recently, he has been supporting Arden Cross – made up of landowners Birmingham City Council, Coleshill Estate and the Packington Estate – which oversees the £3.2bn regeneration opportunity at Arden Cross.

Jonathan Ashcroft, director of project management at Muse in the Midlands said: “Marcus is an experienced professional and will play a central role as we accelerate delivery across our regional pipeline. He already has a deep understanding of Arden Cross and understands regeneration and the importance of working in partnership.

“The last 12 months have exemplified our focus on partnerships and delivery. During 2025 we will continue to drive opportunity right across the region and our expanding team is perfectly placed to deliver.”

Harrington said: “I am delighted to be joining Muse and look forward to playing my part in supporting the team in the Midlands. The company has an ambitious pipeline which will be transformative for the region. By bringing my own experience, and working with the established and expert team, the next 12 months and beyond are set to be dynamic and exciting.”

 

Global law firm Kennedys welcomes legal director Christian Lowden to its healthcare practice.

Lowden returns to Kennedys from Weightmans and will be based in the firm’s Birmingham office.

Christopher Malla and Christian Lowden

He initially joined Kennedy’s Birmingham office and healthcare team in 2017 after qualifying at Browne Jacobson in 2015.

Previously a research microbiologist, he specialises in advising on the maximum severity and complexity of clinical negligence claims acting on behalf of public bodies.

Returning to Kennedys, Lowden will focus on growing the firm’s cross-jurisdictional healthcare claims offering, providing expertise in complex quantum matters, in addition to developing the firm’s product and innovation services.

Christopher Malla, partner and global head of Kennedy’s healthcare practice said: “Our clients are facing an increased number of claims where the patient is injured in the UK but then relocates abroad. Christian will work with our global healthcare partners around the world to manage these complex multi-jurisdictional claims where there are a range of additional factors that need to be taken into account when quantifying the claim.”

Lowden said: “I am excited to return to Kennedys, tasked with the fantastic opportunity of developing the expertise and services we offer to clients. The needs of healthcare clients are constantly evolving, not least due to the rise in healthcare tourism, increasing damages awards, and the liability implications of expanding artificial intelligence.”

 

Birmingham-based PJA, the transport, engineering and placemaking consultancy has expanded its offer to include environmental services through a new appointment.

Shirel Stedman

Shirel Stedman has been appointed as a non-executive director to advise the company as it strengthens its water resources team and makes advances in the nature-positive field.

She brings to PJA a 30-year successful track record in commercial management and directorship working for Halcrow, Ardent and DEFRA.

Stedman is also a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Phil Jones, PJA Chairman said: “We see the potential impacts of transport and development on the environment wherever we work, and we recognise that policy and legislation are requiring our clients and their projects to become more sustainable. As a practice, we have always challenged accepted norms and sought to learn new ways of thinking from the best minds in the industry. Shirel has enabled us to grasp the opportunity to carry out a wide range of water and nature-based projects and make environmental services a key part of our business.”

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