Property people: OVO Spaces; Niemen Architects; and more

Commercial interior design and fit-out specialist OVO Spaces has appointed a new estimator and project manager.

Paul Batty, who is 50 and lives in Sheffield, joins the company at its headquarters in Sheffield’s Victoria Quays.

He has spent more than 20 years working in the hospitality sector, project managing the refurbishment of hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars for leading industry names such as Marstons, Fuller’s and Green King.

He said: “This is a great time to be joining OVO. They have a young and dynamic design team and I really look forward to working with them on some exciting new projects.”

Managing director Rebecca Knight added: “Paul brings a wealth of experience with him and his knowledge of everything from engaging with different trades to formulating costing plans will prove invaluable as our business continues to grow.”

OVO Spaces is currently working on projects for a range of leading companies, providing concept to conclusion building transformations for customers in the commercial, industrial, hospitality and leisure sectors including two projects on the Advanced Manufacturing Park and a number of medium to large office projects.

Work has recently finished on the upgrade of the Maynard Hotel in the Peak District, creating accommodation in time for the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Other recent clients include HLM Architects, Mencap, Shelter, Lambert Smith Hampton and Knight Frank and multiple projects completed in local landmarks at the Park Hill Commercial Units in Sheffield and on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

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Leeds-based architectural practice Niemen Architects has announced the appointment of Scott Lunn as associate director to help respond and drive business growth in the commercial development sector.

The established practice is embarking on a growth plan having secured a strong pipeline of new commercial scale development projects.

These include a multi-storey mixed-use development in central Sheffield, an education and community recreation facility in Bradford as well as a number of student residential schemes.

Founder and director, Shayne Niemen, said: “We are pleased to have emerged from the worst of the pandemic with a healthy order book and growing team.

“We have committed to expanding our commercial sector portfolio and more actively showcase the expertise we have in areas including education and healthcare.

“We are delighted to welcome Scott to our growing team. He is a great new asset to the business, and we are excited to pursue our drive to diversify our work with him on board.”

Lunn, who qualified at Leeds Beckett University, previously spent ten years with Watson Batty Architects as an associate.

He brings considerable knowledge and experience having delivered multi-million-pound education schemes for the Department for Education, Leeds City Council and York St John University.

He also worked as a retained consultant for a major supermarket retailer gaining planning permissions for new stores alongside mixed-use regeneration schemes.

His expertise includes large-scale commercial and mixed-use development projects having designed the masterplan for a flagship city centre expansion and regeneration project valued at over £1bn.

Lunn said: “I am excited to join Niemen Architects with a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how I can really impact key sector growth within the business and carve my own career-path in a very hands-on practice.

“I look forward to working with the practice’s existing client-base and also creating new opportunities with my existing contacts in commercial sectors.”

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Leeds and Manchester-based Castlehouse Construction has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new quantity surveyor.

Steve Clarke joins the growing firm which now boasts more than 30 employees.

He arrives from Cardinal Project Management and prior to that he was with ISG Construction where he held QS roles.

He brings a breadth of experience, having worked across multiple sectors in the construction industry, on projects ranging from £10,000 to £10m.

Responsible for subcontractor and labour only employee management as well as project procurement and cost control, Clarke will also liaise and negotiate with client quantity surveyors.

Frank Kofler, managing director, said: “The successful delivery of any construction project is all about teamwork and our quantity surveying team is a key driver to this.

“We are delighted to welcome Steve on board and to harnessing his wide sector knowledge and experience.”

Clark added: “I am excited to be joining Castlehouse, one of the region’s fastest growing construction companies. I look forward to working on a wide range of projects across the North of England.”