National property and construction consultancy Wakemans has adopted a new business structure and announced a raft of senior management promotions that are set to deliver new levels of expertise across key commercial property sectors.
Following a strategic review Wakemans has moved from a service-led approach to business to one that will enable it to hone its expertise and develop a clear identity in the market sectors in which it is most active.
Executive Chairman John Woodhall said: “This is an important stage in the evolution of our business. Repositioning our offering enables us to maximise resources to improve our technical quality and accuracy as well as our planning and response times, and provides a clear structure for future growth.
“The promotions recognise the major contribution made by some of our most talented managers and reinforce our commitment to offering our employees opportunities for career advancement.”
Newly appointed Divisional Director Nigel Himpson will head up the leisure division alongside Senior Quantity Surveyor Joanne Dale, who becomes Head of Technical Services for Hotels. Their remit is to continue to grow the firm’s market share in hotels whilst also diversifying its client base in conjunction with exploring new opportunities throughout the leisure arena.
Andrew Hancock steps up to Divisional Director to take charge of Wakemans’ new industrial and logistics division, where he will be supported by Andy O’Connor, who is promoted to Associate Director. They will focus on raising the profile of Wakemans in a highly active marketplace in which the firm enjoys both considerable expertise and broad experience.
Clients’ land remediation and infrastructure service requirements will also be handled by the new industrial and logistics division.
Seinde Balogun, who joined the Wakemans board as Director and shareholder in 2008, will lead the division that specialises in residential/retail and public sector projects. The restructure will see him focus on expanding the firm’s client base, especially in the education sector, taking advantage of opportunities in school refurbishment/remodelling and student accommodation projects.
Divisional Director Adrian Cartwright and the firm’s building surveyors will support all three divisions as will the project management team led by Senior Project Manager and Head of Project Management Matt McWalter.
As part of the new look Wakemans set-up, Divisional Director Tony Hooper assumes extra responsibilities. Tony, who is based at the Wakemans office in Bristol, becomes the firm’s head of expert witness services, advising on commercial and residential cases involving disputes over quality, workmanship and financial payments.