The UK’s only across-all-platforms networking group for property, development and construction professionals, fbe (forum for the built environment) has strengthened its national board with the appointment of a further two new regional directors.
Chartered architect, Jonathan Astley joins as regional director for the West Midlands & Thames Valley, whilst environmental consultant, Warren Percival assumes responsibility for the North West. Between them, the pair has over 31 years’ experience in the industry. Jonathan specialises in design for the education sector and is currently working on a £24m new build school in Wolverhampton and Warren leads a team of environmental, health and safety experts at RSK Environment Ltd, working onUK environmental frameworks for Mace, Lend Lease, Willmott Dixon, Taylor Wimpey, BP and Shell, among others.
“My involvement with fbe began in 2008, when I helped establish the Black Country & Telford branch,of which I am the current chairman,” explains Jonathan Astley, who is also a director at Wolverhampton-based architects and town planners, Tweedale Ltd. “Since then, I’ve seen the region go from strength to strength, with members telling me that fbe occupies a unique position in that it embraces every single construction discipline meaning it facilitates introductions that otherwise would’ve seemed impossible. By joining the national board, I hope to broaden communication across the regions, encourage growth in membershipand continue to help generate new business opportunities via a professional and friendly forum.”
Established in 1946, fbe has 25 branches nationwide. Branch committees work hard to provide an array of networking opportunities, from breakfast seminars and lunch meetings; formal awards evenings and dinners to more social occasions such as sports meetings and golf days. Included in the two regions Jonathan and Warren will oversee are thriving branches at Black Country & Telford, Coventry & Warwickshire, Lancashire & Cumbria and Liverpool together withfbe’s flagship branches at Manchester and Birmingham, which regularly attract in excess of 200 construction professionals to their events.
“Fbe enjoys a strong reputation in the North West hosting events with well-known and respected speakers who presentopportunities for collaboration as well as local market intelligence,” added Warren Percival. “I’ve been a member of fbe since 2010 and have seen how the dedication and hard-work of branch committees leads to sell-out, informal networking events time after time. In my new role, I’m determined to continue this ethos by raising the profile of fbe and forging strategic alliances with likeminded groups to improve local and national opportunities for all.”
The board of directors meets quarterly at venues across the UK and is led by national chairman, Howard Gadd. “It is extremely pleasing to welcome Jonathan and Warren to fbe’s national board; both have been active and vocal members for many years and as branch chairmen, have already excelled at developing fbe into the premier networking organisation in their respective regions. We look forward to gleaning some of their expertise as we continue to provide a voice for the UK’s burgeoning construction industry,” said Howard.