Property people: Cushman & Wakefield and Big Red Construction

Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Stephen Miles as its new regional managing partner for Yorkshire & North East.

He has taken over from Keith Hardman, who has held the leadership position since 2007.

Miles, a development expert specialising in urban regeneration and mixed-use property, has been with the firm for more than 20 years.

Alongside the day-to-day running of the 80-strong Yorkshire & North East team, he will continue to lead the Northern Land, Development & Planning team in a client-facing advisory role based in Leeds.

He will report to Jon Leedham, head of Cushman & Wakefield’s UK regional network.

Miles, said: “Cushman & Wakefield is a key player in the Yorkshire and North East property market, with talented specialists operating across a number of skill lines.

“I am keen to use the role to bring together our collective strengths to meet the challenges and opportunities facing our clients locally, to deliver their ambitions, and increase our impact across the region.”

Hardman said: “I have worked closely with Stephen for the last 17 years and he is an outstanding adviser with an abundance of the qualities needed for the regional managing partner role.

“Along with all colleagues across the region, I look forward to supporting him as he leads and grows the team, ensuring that we continue to inspire our people and deliver outstanding outcomes for clients.”

“Stephen played a leading role in pulling together and delivering the Future of Cities series last year, which outlined our vision for how Leeds, along with other major UK cities, will evolve over the next two decades.”

Hardman will continue to focus on his national role as UK head of development and strategic advisory, which forms part of the firm’s UK Specialist Markets Division, advising national and regional investors, developers, and occupiers across the public and private sectors.

Leedham said: “Keith has led our Yorkshire team for the last 17 years, playing a fundamental role in the team’s growth during that time.

“I would like to thank him for his dedication and the incredible contribution he has made to the team in Leeds.

“While he is passing over the day-to-day responsibility of regional managing partner, he will continue to play a pivotal national client-facing advisory role at Cushman & Wakefield, and support Stephen as he takes on the position of regional head.

“I very much look forward to working with Stephen in his new role and wish him every success.”

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Greg Wood has been welcomed into a new role as interim MD of Huddersfield-based Big Red Construction, as the BR2.0 group prepares for significant expansion.

He has most recently served as operations director for the group business, but the new role comes as Big Red Construction embarks on several major new residential projects, and as the group takes up its new headquarters in Manchester city centre.

Part of his role will be looking for a long-term senior hire to lead the construction arm of the business as it integrates into the wider group.

Alongside other group companies, Xpercity and Inspired, Big Red Construction has a growing pipeline of projects in key locations throughout the North and Midlands.

Wood said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the business as we continue to grow and deliver increasingly complex and high-value projects.

“Having seen the business evolve to where it is today since I joined the group in 2021, I’m very proud of what has already been achieved and excited for the next phase.

“We have a brilliant and committed team who are delivering some exceptional work. Leading the construction arm of the group into this critical phase and ensuring we put in place the right leadership team for the long-term is a challenge I’m looking forward to.”

Mike Lomas, founder and CEO of the BR2.0 Group, added: “The establishment of the BR2.0 group is immense. We are expanding our business sustainably to ensure we can make a real change to society through our property product.

“Big Red is an established construction company which will continue to thrive under the leadership of Greg.

“Greg and I have known, and worked with, each other a number of years and our visions are aligned for the future of the Big Red and the BR2.0 group.”

The team behind Big Red Construction recently revealed an evolution of its business following significant investment into the company and a raft of senior hires.

BR2.0 will provide end-to-end property solutions, across development; construction; and asset maintenance, under the ethos of “Develop. Deliver. Maintain.”

Over the coming months Big Red Construction will be seeking a permanent MD to lead the business into its next phase of growth.