OBI has made six hires across a variety of departments despite the turbulent period of COVID-19.
Kate Jackson joined in February from JD Sports as a workplace consultant and interior designer. Previously Kate worked at Space Invader and has a wide range of experience on commercial interiors projects. Kate’s appointment further bolsters the Workplace Consultancy team which is currently designing some of the most high-profile offices in Manchester.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Andrew Crabtree and Jordana Anderson both joined the Transactions and Asset Management team. Andrew, a chartered surveyor, joins the team from the Cushman Wakefield office agency department. Jordana’s move from aviation sales will see her focus on managed and flexible workspace, events and social media.
In addition to the above, OBI has added three more members to the OBI Academy. Launched last year, the Academy was set up to nurture some of the industry’s best young talent and ensure that OBI has a pipeline of candidates to support their growth ambitions.
Olivia Ritchie, a graduate in Real Estate from Sheffield Hallam University recently completed a one-year placement with Knight Frank and will work towards her APC in the Transactions and Asset Management Team.
Ruth Goldacre also joins from Salford University on a year long placement in the Building Consultancy team as part of a Building Surveyor degree. In September Sam Corby will join the Leeds office on a year long placement from Sheffield Hallam.
On the growth of the company, Will Lewis said: “We are always looking to strengthen our offering at OBI and a key component of this is ensuring we have a top-tier team. Each of these new appointments will make a real difference to the multitude of services offered at OBI and we are focused on continuing to deliver a unique service that sets our business apart and allow us to deliver the OBI Difference. Many of the larger firms have closed the door on employing graduates and the implementation of training programmes. We have always been committed to grow talent and this won’t change even in these more challenging times.”
Founded in 2010 by Will Lewis and Dominic Horridge, OBI’s landlord and occupier clients include Aviva Investors, Bruntwood, Schroders, Kinrise, Property Alliance Group, Booking.com, Morson Group, AO.com and The Hut Group (THG).
In both Manchester and Leeds OBI provides advice to clients across its multi-discipline services, which include leasing and investment, office acquisitions, building consultancy, business relocations, interior design, project management and dilapidations. The collection of services is known as the ‘OBI Difference’.
In 2019 OBI were responsible for 42% of office space transacted across Manchester.
