People: GMI Construction Group; Brabners; Potter Space; and more

Leeds-headquartered GMI Construction Group has appointed Gareth Jones as group managing director.

He has been promoted from divisional managing director for the Midlands.

His work has included helping to diversify the business’s portfolio of projects, extending its reach further south into the region.

With more than 20 years’ experience in construction, Jones started as a trainee site engineer aged 17, also studying for a degree in Construction Management and Civil Engineering. 

This became the foundation of a 12-year career with Galliford Try during which time he progressed to site management and project management roles before the age of 24.

He joined GMI Construction initially as construction manager, before progressing he spent two years as construction director for the Midlands before becoming divisional managing director for GMI.

Transitioning into the group role during the last quarter of 2024, he will lead the business alongside new group commercial director Richard Davies, previously commercial director of the Midlands who Jones worked closely with over the previous few years.

Jones said: “At GMI we have developed a fantastic business working with some outstanding clients across our core regions. 

“Our contribution to the development of the built environment in Yorkshire, the North East, North West and the Midlands continues to be an essential part of the UK economy, through the creation of employment opportunities, new homes and business premises.

“This is a huge achievement that I’m incredibly proud of and I look forward to working with colleagues and clients across our key regions.”

Jarrod Best, chairman, added: “This is an incredibly well-deserved appointment. Gareth has done a fantastic job delivering for multiple regions and is an asset to the team.

“Gareth’s dedication and strategic approach to growth will drive the profitable consolidation we are focusing on and will ensure our projects are delivered to a high standard.

“A huge congratulations to Gareth and we look forward to the new era of GMI.”

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From left, Robert Arnison and Nik White

Independent law firm, Brabners, has strengthened its real estate team with the appointment of partner Robert Arnison.

He will bring additional senior expertise to the firm’s almost 120-strong real estate team, which continues to support major national regeneration projects.

Working with colleagues across Brabners’ offices in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire, he will further boost the firm’s relationships with major developers and local authorities that are delivering regeneration and place-led development across the UK.

He previously spent more than 20 years at global law firm DLA Piper, where he was a senior figure in the firm’s Manchester-based development team, collaborating with other offices across the firm including internationally.

He also served as office training partner, supporting the development of colleagues across a range of disciplines.

Arnison has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial real estate with a particular focus on development, regeneration, infrastructure projects and development finance.

He has worked with private and public sector clients, involving innovative investment and funding to deliver important schemes.

He joins Brabners’ real estate team as it continues to advise on a range of major regeneration projects supporting regional prosperity.

Nik White, managing partner, said: “Robert is extremely talented and experienced, and will prove a valuable addition to our growing real estate practice, helping them continue to make the difference to our clients.

“His vast experience will complement the team’s existing strengths as they continue to influence ambitious infrastructure schemes that are at the heart of regeneration in towns and cities across the North.”

Arnison added: “Brabners’ real estate team is widely recognised in our industry as one of the most impressive in the country. The calibre of projects it has worked on in recent years can only be described as transformative.

“It’s a pleasure to be joining the firm, not only as it enters a new growth cycle but as it continues to create positive, lasting change in local communities.”

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From left, Richard Bousfield, Jason Rockett and Esme Briggs

Leeds-headquartered Potter Space, a property business specialising in small to mid-box industrial and logistics space, has further strengthened its team with the appointment of Richard Bousfield as property director and Esme Briggs as asset manager.

Bousfield brings with him over 23 years of experience in the property industry.

His previous roles at Cushman & Wakefield and Harworth Group have given him a wealth of expertise, particularly in investment and asset management.

With current property director Rob Barker set to retire at the end of September, Bousfield has taken the lead in managing the investment portfolio and advancing the company’s development pipeline through potential new investment partners.

Briggs’s previous roles include Town Centre Securities and Citu, where she has gained valuable experience in asset and property management, including landlord and tenant, lease renewals, rent reviews and all other estate matters.

She will work closely with Chris Collins, head of asset management.

Jason Rockett, managing director, said: “The addition of Richard and Esme to the Potter Space team marks a significant step forward for the business.

“Their wealth of expertise and fresh perspectives are exactly what we need at this stage of our growth.

“With Richard’s property experience and Esme’s innovative approach to asset management, we’re not just filling positions – we’re enhancing our ability to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers.”

Bousfield said: “Joining Potter Space at this pivotal moment in its growth trajectory is truly exciting.

“The company has already established itself as a leader in the industrial and logistics property sector, and I’m looking forward to contributing to its continued success.

“My experience in investment and asset management will be put to good use as we drive forward the company’s strategy and seek out new growth opportunities.”

Briggs added: “Potter Space’s focus on creating environments where businesses can thrive offers an exciting opportunity to apply insights from my background in the industry so far.

“I’m keen to use this experience to enhance our asset management strategies and build on the strong customer relationships that are clearly at the heart of Potter Space’s operations.”

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Blacks Solicitors has bolstered its commercial law offering with the appointment of trainee solicitor, Daisy Jackman, after she completed her training contract at the firm.

Joining the firm in 2021 as a paralegal and later undertaking her training contract, Jackman completed training seats across the following teams: Private Wealth & Succession, Real Estate, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Corporate and Commercial.

In 2024 she qualified as solicitor in the Corporate and Commercial teams.

She assists with an array of commercial responsibilities, including franchise and distribution agreements, consultancy agreements and reviewing and drafting terms and conditions.

She said: “I’m thrilled to join the Commercial and Corporate teams after being given the opportunity to have grown with the firm over the past three years.

“I look forward to my future with Blacks and gaining further experience.”

The Commercial expansion follows the recent promotion of Pete Konieczko-Hansom to legal director and head of the Commercial and Intellectual Property (IP) team.

Konieczko-Hansom said: “The Commercial team has had a promising start to 2024. We’ve experienced a significant rise in instructions and are happy to welcome Daisy into the fold. Her arrival comes at a particularly exciting time for both the Commercial team and Blacks as a whole.”