Property people: Brewster Bye Architects; Fox Lloyd Jones; and more

Leeds-based architecture practice, Brewster Bye, has promoted Andrew Chapman to director and Tim Chesnutt has become a full qualified architect at the firm after successfully completing his RIBA part 3 exams.

Chapman is now entering his 10th year at Brewster Bye and during that time he has designed a range of pioneering residential and purpose-built student accommodation schemes throughout Yorkshire and beyond.

He has also worked on a number of high-profile developments in Leeds city centre, which are currently on-site.

These include the transformation of Fairfax House, which is on the corner of Merrion Street and Wade Lane, from a 1960s office building into 154 apartments, along with a two-storey rooftop extension that will create a further 14 homes.

He has also led the new nine-storey student accommodation scheme that is now being built at 26-34 Merrion Street in the Leeds Grand Quarter Conservation Area, which will offer 88 apartments.

Chesnutt joined Brewster Bye in 2019 as a part two architectural assistant after graduating from The University of Huddersfield with a first class BA (Hons) Architecture International Degree, before gaining a Masters of Architecture with a Distinction grade.

He has now completed a Professional Practice and Management in Architecture (RIBA part 3) qualification to become a fully certified architect.

He has recently been involved in several affordable housing schemes and retirement developments.

These include a development of 41 affordable houses, in the Long Lee area of Keighley and a development of 20 retirement houses and apartments in Bentley near Doncaster, which are currently being built using modern methods of construction.

Brewster Bye currently employs a team of 21 in Headingley and plans to recruit further this year.

Mark Henderson, director, said: “Andrew thoroughly deserves this latest promotion to director level. He’s due to complete a decade at Brewster Bye and in that time, he has designed a vast range of innovative schemes that are popular with clients, planning departments and the people who live in them.

“He’s a talented professional and a real asset to the business.

“Tim is also very dedicated and has worked hard to secure his qualification and become a certified architect. He has an exciting future ahead and is an integral member of our team working on all types of affordable and older persons housing schemes, which is an important and growing part of the work we do.”

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Strategic property and construction advisor, Fox Lloyd Jones (FLJ) has promoted Adam Watson, Louise Larking and Daniel Jamieson to the position of director, to further strengthen its senior leadership team and long-term growth ambitions.

The trio previously held associate director roles within the company and have individually led a variety of successful commercial property schemes across the UK.

They will now be tasked with both developing the existing team members skills and playing a more strategic role in the future direction of the business.

Jamieson has been with the Leeds-based firm of chartered surveyors for over seven years, having been involved in several high-profile developments in partnership with clients such as British Land, Opus North and Pickard Properties.

Larking heads the retail and leisure leasing division and is one of the longest serving members of the team, having been at FLJ since the company was founded in 2004.

Key achievements to date include working with Town Centre Securities as leasing agent for a number of years across its one million sq ft island site at the Merrion Centre and on its substantial Vicar Lane asset also in Leeds.

She has also been heavily involved in the letting of commercial spaces within a number of city centre build-to-rent schemes, including Mustard Wharf and Tower Works, on behalf of Legal & General Investment Management.

Watson has been with FLJ for over five years and has played a pivotal role in delivering properties such as The Headline, a Wellington Street build-to-rent scheme transforming part of the former Yorkshire Post site on behalf of Grainger Plc.

Other developments include recent completion of the major B&Q distribution centre at Symmetry Park in Doncaster for Tritax and Interchange 26, a speculative industrial and logistics development in Bradford on behalf of Opus North.

Paul Fox, co-founder and director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “Daniel, Louise and Adam have proved to be terrific colleagues since joining our business and these promotions are recognition of the hard work, knowledge, commitment and expertise they’ve demonstrated over that period.

“In line with our growth plans, it has worked well to be able to promote internally knowing the strengths and skills of each of the new directors.

“All three of them are very committed to their work, as well as developing members of our core team and continuing to add tremendous value to our clients.”

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Urban Group (York) Ltd has recruited a new managing quantity surveyor and project manager to its growing team.

Nicholas Bryant brings 15 years of project management experience, having previously worked at Esh and Mace. He specialises in the delivery of student, residential, care and education development.

His previous projects have included a 58-home retirement living scheme for Housing 21 Doncaster and the £250m Climate Innovation District development for CITU.

He was also the project manager delivering the renovation of the Grade II Lady IDA Lodge at Cookridge Hospital, which recently secured the Constructing Excellence award for Conservation and Regeneration project of the year.

Jamie Wilkinson also joins the Construction Division as the new managing quantity surveyor.

He previously worked in commercial management and quantity surveying roles at Fortem (part of the Wilmott Dixon Group) and Kier Group, where he managed multi-million pound contracts, handling traditional tendered contracts to long-term framework agreements for a variety of local authority clients and social housing providers.

The pair will both work on the high-profile Aire Straits boutique student accommodation scheme which Urban Group is delivering on Merrion Street in Leeds.

The nine-storey high specification development will provide 88 en-suite studios with on-site cinema, gym, lounge, dining and study space.

Bryant said: “Urban Group specialises in residential schemes, from new-build, buy-to-let and student accommodation, to housing association frameworks, an area where both Jamie and I have extensive experience.

“It is a fast-growing team, working with a strong team of sub-contractors and supply-chain partners.

“The role will also give me the opportunity to continue my passion for mentoring the next generation of project managers.”

Brendon Hutchinson, group managing director, said: “It’s a coup to appoint two senior team members with the calibre of experience Nicholas and Jamie offer. They will be a fantastic addition to the construction team.

“We have recently secured a number of high-profile developments, from flagship student accommodation in Leeds to land-led Housing Association build contracts across Yorkshire and the East Midlands and will continue to grow the team as a result.”