Award-winning developer IM Properties has appointed Richard Sykes, formerly of JLL in Birmingham, as Planning and Development Manager.
Richard has extensive experience in the commercial and industrial sectors and is dual qualified as both a surveyor and a town planner. Fulfilling the first role of its kind at IM Properties, Richard will be responsible for sourcing and securing new strategic land opportunities as well as adding value to existing assets through his planning experience.
Richard has previously advised on a number of developments across the Midlands, including the promotion of commercial and industrial sites, and mixed-use schemes.
Richard said: “The property market is at an exciting stage, with momentum building across the commercial sectors and a strong sense of competition beginning to return. This is a great opportunity to become involved in a developer-driven environment, particularly given the range of projects that IM Properties has in its portfolio.
“Having a planning oversight can be a real advantage when you’re working on a development project. IM Properties has a really strong desire for growth and a clear strategic direction driving the business forward and I’m looking forward to adding value to existing IM projects and also sourcing some new opportunities for the business.”
Richard will be working as part of IM Properties’ Development team, which has brought forward a number of key commercial and industrial schemes around the country, including the hugely successful Birch Coppice site in Dordon, Solihull Business Park and the Longwell Green trade counter scheme in Bristol.
Kevin Ashfield, Senior Development Director at IM Properties, said: “Richard’s dual experience in the surveying and planning sectors of the industry is relatively unique and we feel that he can play an important role in supporting the ambitions of the business, particularly in terms of increasing our land bank.
“Following our recent acquisition of Blythe Valley and Fore Business Parks and ongoing development of assets including Birch Coppice and the Hub, there is a wealth of opportunity for Richard to enhance our existing portfolio and support our acquisition of strategically important development sites throughout the UK.”