Member Article

This month’s South East appointments

Chris Draper, Metis Real Estate Advisors

Metis Real Estate Advisors, the independent retail, leisure and investment agency business, has today announced that Chris Draper has joined the company as a Director.

Chris joins Metis from Lambert Smith Hampton, formerly Tushingham Moore and has over 15 years’ experience in the commercial property market.

Over the last 10 years he has specialised in the retail and leisure property sectors, previously working for The Elliott Partnership and Storey Sons & Parker.

In his new role, Chris will be working across Metis’s investment, development and leasing teams to provide coherent and strategic lease advisory and asset management advice.

He will work closely with his colleagues to ensure Metis’ clients receive the best possible guidance. Main clients he will be working with include Drum Property Group, CBRE Global Investors, Bride Hall and Tesco Pension Investment.

Commenting on Chris Draper’s appointment, Jonathan Mills, founding partner, said: “It is great news we have secured Chris as another addition to our team. That someone with his experience and reputation is joining Metis is a great reflection of the growth and success of the business. His skill set and perspective also broadens our offer to clients even further.”

Chris Draper added: “Metis’ pace of growth is matched by the quality of its clients. Combined, these create the perfect opportunity for me and I am delighted to be joining such a strong, energetic and experienced team.”

John Farrell, Four Communications

Independent integrated agency Four Communications Group has appointed John Farrell, former president and CEO of Publicis Groupe Specialised Agencies and Marketing Services (SAMS), as its new chairman.

With a career spanning more than 20 years, John is an expert in marketing, communications and advertising. Prior to his position at the Publicis Groupe, he was president and CEO of D’Arcy Worldwide, one of the top ten global advertising and communication networks.

He is currently serving in non-executive positions for several advertising, media, marketing services and retail businesses including Albion, DWA, Adjust Your Set, Octopus, Cognifide and Acceleration, and provides consultancy services to organisations such as The European Golf Tour, Quintessentially and Saatchi & Saatchi.

John succeeds one of the original Four Communications co-founders, Chris O’Donoghue, who after 14 years as Chairman is retiring but remains a significant shareholder in the Group.

The appointment comes at a significant time for the agency. In July 2015 Four successfully secured a £10m investment of equity finance from BGF (Business Growth Fund), the UK’s most active provider of growth capital to small and mid-sized businesses.

Since then the agency has acquired leading financial and professional services public relations agency Broadgate Mainland and Welsh design and public relations agency Francis Balsom Associates, bringing the Group’s projected fee income to more than £20 million in 2015.

Nan Williams, Four Communications group chief executive said: “John’s appointment coincides with a record-breaking year for Four. His expertise, experience and personal qualities will be hugely significant to the future of the business as we surge forward with our ambitious growth plans.

“We would also like to thank Chris for all of his invaluable knowledge, insight and support since the inception of the agency 14 years ago, and look forward to continuing our relationship with him as a supportive shareholder in the company going forward.”

John Farrell said: “Several things attracted me to Four Communications. The quality of the leadership team and the level of their ambition to take the business to the next level is really energising. The culture and quality within the organisation is something you can feel when you walk in - and I believe I can add further to that.

“And the belief that the Business Growth Fund has demonstrated in the business with its recent significant investment and the inevitable additional growth opportunities that this will fuel, makes it an incredibly exciting time for me to step in as chairman and help the business fulfil its potential. It’s a great business with great growth prospects!”

Rob Lambell, Saracen Interiors

Workplace consultant, Saracen Interiors has welcomed a new project manager to its burgeoning team as the company looks ahead to continue its steady growth trajectory.

Rob Lambell has a solid background in both business to business and business to consumer environments within the interiors sector and is expected to bring what is an exemplary customer relations record to bear as he builds relationships with existing and potential customers for Saracen.

Rob is now responsible for project managing sales, as well as generating new business leads and cultivating existing business opportunities. He will provide initial designs along with account management, continuing the relationship with each client, as projects progress, to provide a consistent point of contact.

Joint managing director of Saracen Interiors, Michael Page is delighted to welcome Rob: “Rob has a proven track record in customer relationship co-ordination and is big on detail when it comes to design. We value his input as he is already proving to be a dedicated team-player, with an enthusiastic approach, who is prepared to give 100 per cent. We look forward to enjoying further successes and many more project wins with Rob on board as a valued member of the team.”

Rob adds: “It’s great to be a part of the Saracen story. The company’s approach to customer relations is that this area of the business comes first, second and third and it is that which wins it such high levels of word of mouth business and ensures that customers keep coming back for more. It’s a fine ethos which has been adopted by each individual and so it’s great to work with like-minded people who are similarly driven and inspired.”

Will Charlton, Powell Williams

Powell Williams has made the latest in a string of new appointments to its London office.

Surveyor Will Charlton, from Bristol, joins the firm from Workman & Partners where he worked out of both their London and Swindon offices.

With a wide network of contacts in the South West, Will will be looking to develop new business in the region over the next 12 months. He will also be brought on to service existing client portfolios with assets in the South East and southern Midlands.

Will was targeted for his expertise in project management, in particular office refurbishments, overseeing design, contractors, budgets and acting as lead consultant for institutional clients. His recent schemes include a £4m office refurbishment in Harrow, and the £1m revamp of an office building in Bracknell.

He also has significant experience of landlord’s dilapidations and acquisition work, together with other core building surveying skills.

Will said: “It’s not often you get the chance to be part of the growth of a business in this way, and I’m eager to get started helping the business develop its South West market. My expertise is in project management, contracts administration and acting as client’s agent, within retail and office markets.

“Powell Williams has such a broad range of services and sectors, I’m really looking forward to developing as a surveyor, working alongside the firm’s highly respected and extremely knowledgeable senior partners.”

His appointment opens a number of opportunities for the firm, said lead partner Andrew Marshall: “Project management and refurbishment is a huge growth area for us at the moment, as clients seek to make use of our building lifecycle proposition, looking after the location’s requirements from acquisition to disposal.

“Many of our investment fund clients are upgrading newly acquired stock and long-held assets to meet the needs of ever more demanding occupiers, and improve values ahead of future sales. Will’s experience is ideal for these instructions and gives us additional breadth within the team to take on more such schemes nationally.”

David Mills, Royal Selangor

Malaysian luxury pewter specialist, Royal Selangor, who earlier this year marked its 130th anniversary with the opening of its first UK flagship store on the King’s Road, has appointed David Mills, as Country Manager for the UK.

Following an impressive performance during an intensive initial six months with the company, he has been promoted to Country Manager, and turns his attention to the future and the direction he hopes to take the brand.

David comments, “My vision is to continue to elevate Royal Selangor’s brand presence within the UK. Through communicating and raising awareness of the exquisite products and the brand’s commitment to its heritage and craftsmanship, I aim to put the 261 King’s Road flagship on the map as a destination for luxury home ware, and having just launched the official Star Wars collectors range, am confident the unique offering will propel Royal Selangor UK to a successful future.”

David Mills joined the Royal Selangor team in April 2015, following 4 years at iconic London luxury department store, Harrods.

Having entertained his personal passion for interior design and home ware brand managing multiple luxury concessions within the store, he was intrigued by the fourth generation family owned business and its international presence in over 20 countries worldwide, so was delighted to join the team earlier this year as Royal Selangor UK Sales Manager.

Paul Delaney and Damien Cartmell, Regal Homes

Regal Homes, the privately held property development firm which has delivered over 1000 high quality homes in the London market since 1998, has appointed Paul Delaney as the company’s COO and Damien Cartmell as its Production Director.

Delaney was group construction director at Ardmore Construction Ltd, over a 27-year period during which the company experienced substantial growth, becoming both a main contractor and developer.

Delaney was a divisional director at United House, where he helped secured and deliver high value residential projects in London, including a £60m build contract in Wharf Road and £170m development in Finsbury Park.

Cartmell was previously the Operations Manager for United House and brings 15 years’ experience to Regal Homes as well as multiple awards from the Considerate Contractors Scheme. His first role in construction was at Barratt Homes, where he served before moving to Bouygues and then Ardmore Construction Ltd.

In his role at Regal Homes, Cartmell will be responsible for the design, procurement and delivery of all Regal Homes projects, working closely with the company’s inhouse construction division.

Paul Eden and Simon De Friend, Co-founders, Regal Homes, commented: “Paul is a great addition to the Regal Homes team and is joining the company at a transformative time in our history, with his experience and background adding significant depth and expertise to our development and delivery function.

“Paul’s appointment highlights both our progress to date and our determination to continue to grow the business.

“Damien is a strategic hire for Regal Homes and his expertise will prove invaluable when delivering projects with our inhouse construction team. His experience is unrivalled and we will look to him to build and develop our production division while continuing the celebrated quality of our developments.”

Deborah Levy, Thomas Eggar LLP

Law firm Thomas Eggar LLP has today announced the appointment of Deborah Levy as a Family Law consultant in the Private Client practice group.

Deborah, who joins Thomas Eggar following a twelve year stint as a partner at WGS, will be based at the firm’s office in London and has over 25 years’ experience in complex financial matters relating to divorce and separation.

Deborah’s expertise also covers children’s matters, including the fair arrangement of allocated time that parents get to share with their children following divorce, as well as allegations made against parents.

She also specialises in advising those in same sex relationships on issues such as civil partnership, marriage or cohabitation. Deborah recognises the Get and its role in the secular divorce of a Jewish couple.

At Thomas Eggar, Deborah will expand the Private Client practice group’s range of services and assist in the development of new business.

“We are committed to growing the services we offer our private clients and Deborah brings with her considerable expertise in family law and children’s matters,” says Ursula Danagher, Head of Private Client at Thomas Eggar.

“Deborah is well-versed in dealing with clients’ complex financial and family arrangements. Her appointment perfectly complements the existing team and our growth strategy within key sectors. We are proud to welcome Deborah to the team at Thomas Eggar.”

Richard Hoare, Arcadis

Arcadis, a design & consultancy firm for natural and built assets, has strengthened its programme management capability with the appointment of Richard Hoare as Head of Programme and Project Services.

Richard will lead programme and project services across each of Arcadis’ business sectors, including: portfolio management; programme management; project management; cost and commercial management; programme and project controls; and contract solutions.

Richard joins from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a Director in its Capital Project and Infrastructure Practice. Prior to that, he held senior positions – including Project Director – at engineering, construction and project management specialist, Bechtel. Richard is also a Chartered Engineer, a Barrister, and holds an MBA from Aston Business School.

Alan Brookes, Chief Executive Officer of Arcadis in the UK, commented: “I am pleased to welcome Richard on board. The calibre of his experience speaks for itself and it is a particularly good moment for him to join the firm, following the unveiling of the new Arcadis brand and the coming together of our 28,000-strong people, internationally, under one name.”

Richard Hoare added: “This really is an exciting time to be joining a company with the ambition and capabilities of Arcadis. There is a great team ethic and collaboration on a global scale, so I am looking forward to tapping into this vast talent base and helping to continue to bring world-class practices and innovative approaches to major programmes and projects in the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .