Property People: Beyond Law; Gilbanks; BWB; Glenbrook; Gateley; Workspace Design and Build; Knights
He brings four decades of experience advising on high-value, complex real estate transactions and urban regeneration projects. With a career spanning leadership roles at Mills & Reeve and Pinsent Masons, where he served as Head of Real Estate in Manchester, Mike has earned an enviable reputation for advising developers, institutional investors, landowners and property companies across the full lifecycle of real estate matters – from acquisitions and disposals to financing, joint ventures and large-scale developments.
“Mike’s appointment is a pivotal moment for Beyond Corporate,” said James Corlett, Managing Partner at Beyond Corporate. “As we continue to scale, Mike’s wealth of experience, deep market knowledge, extensive network and strategic awareness will elevate our real estate capabilities and align perfectly with our vision for the next phase of growth. We’ve laid the foundations – now we’re building ambitiously on them.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mike Edge said: “There is a real sense of momentum here – an entrepreneurial mindset, a collaborative culture and an unwavering focus on clients. This is an exceptional platform from which to build one of the leading real estate practices in the market, and I look forward to playing a part in shaping its future.”
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Maria Hall
Premium serviced office provider Gilbanks has promoted Maria Hall to operations director, a move that sees her take a seat on the company’s board. The appointment marks a significant step in her career and reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing talent from within.
Maria began her property career with Gilbanks as front-of-house staff at One Park Row in Leeds and has played a key role in shaping the company’s customer service culture. In her new role, she will oversee operations across all sites, lead recruitment and onboarding, manage team performance and processes, and ensure the continued delivery of the high standards that underpin the Gilbanks brand.
Maria Hall said: “It’s a real privilege to join the board and help steer the next phase of growth for a company I’ve been proud to grow with. From day one, the focus at Gilbanks has always been on the customer, creating spaces and service levels that truly support productivity. I’m committed to ensuring that as we scale, we maintain that same level of care and quality that has defined us so far.”
The announcement comes as Gilbanks continues to accelerate its national expansion. Backed by a recent multi-million-pound investment from Frontier Development Capital, the company is expanding its portfolio of premium serviced offices across key UK cities, including Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.
The company’s newest site at No.1 St Michael’s in Manchester is now open, offering 34,000 sq ft of premium workspace in the heart of the city’s £400m development. The site has already attracted major occupiers, including AXA, and is seen as a flagship for Gilbanks’ evolving offer.
Alex Duckett, managing director of Gilbanks, said: “Maria was one of the first employees to join Gilbanks and she has worked up from front of house to the board thanks to her tireless energy, customer focus and consummate professionalism. Her journey is a brilliant example of what’s possible at Gilbanks, and we’re pleased to see her take this next step.”
As Gilbanks continues to grow across the UK, the business remains committed to combining thoughtful design, high-end service, and a community-focused ethos that appeals to professional firms.
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Katy Isaac
Katy Isaac has joined Deetu and BWB, to engage with stakeholders to drive local and national economic growth.
Josh Dickerson, BWB Director of Place, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Katy to our team. Her involvement in our projects will be invaluable as we continue to deliver essential services to our clients.
“Deetu’s innovative approach to public consultations and digital solutions will be further enhanced by Katy’s role.”
She is a community engagement specialist, finding innovative ways of working with and engaging the public with particularly sensitive issues work whilst collaborating with clients to advise and deliver complex stakeholder engagement, consultation, and communications strategies across a number of specialities.
In her former position at Lexington, Katy worked with clients across various sectors, including national housebuilders, logistics developers and renewable energy specialists. Before this, Katy held positions at WSP, working in the Engagement Team, and at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) where she focused on staff engagement and behaviour change around the carbon reduction and Net Zero agenda.
Other projects she has worked on include securing planning consent for redevelopment of Aston Villa’s North Stand; Winning a place on the National Grid community
relations framework; and she led the communications and engagement activity for the £1 billion regeneration of an out-of-town retail park in Salford.
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Left to right: Laura Harrison, Olivia Mcdowell, Caroline Ruffell, Ben Simpson
Glenbrook has appointed four new team members as it continues to strengthen its capabilities across investment, development, and finance.
Olivia McDowell has joined the company as senior asset manager to support Glenbrook’s growing portfolio. Olivia will play a key role in driving existing strategies, as well as identifying new asset management and investment opportunities as the business continues to expand its pipeline.
In the development team, Caroline Ruffell has been appointed design manager, responsible for overseeing the design and delivery of projects across the company’s residential and commercial developments. Ben Simpson also joins the team as project manager, where he will support the delivery of schemes through all stages of the development lifecycle.
Supporting the business’s finance function, Laura Harrison joins as accounts assistant.
Glenbrook currently has 1,700 homes under construction and has been very active in the investment market with over £20M of transactions already completed in 2025, including the sale of Springfields Retail Park to FPG Group.
Guy Butler, Director at Glenbrook, commented: “This announcement marks the latest step in our ongoing growth strategy and reflects the continued momentum across its investment and development activities. Attracting top talent is central to our success, and each of these appointments reflects our ambition and commitment to delivering best-in-class developments.”
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Richard Allan and Emlyn Hudson
Gateley Legal has boosted its national construction offering with the hire of legal director Richard Allan at its Manchester office.
Allan joins from Irwin Mitchell and brings 19 years of experience advising on complex construction and engineering project disputes spanning a wide range of market sectors.
He has acted for and advised numerous leading UK and international owners, contractors, consultants, funders and administrators on projects in the UK, mainland Europe, USA, Russia and the Middle East.
He also brings specialist experience resolving disputes within the energy sector including nuclear, combined heat and power, oil and lithium. More recently, Allan has been focusing on fire safety and cladding claims, acting for freeholders, owners and contractors.
In his role at Gateley Legal, Allan will bolster the national construction team’s offering to support clients, including housebuilders and developers, with a broad range of construction matters including fire safety.
He said: “It’s great to join Gateley Legal’s construction team. Its national offering is widely recognised within the market and provides a comprehensive service for clients alongside the consultancy businesses within the wider Group which sets them apart within the industry.”
Emlyn Hudson, partner and national head of construction at Gateley Legal, said: “We’re pleased to have Richard join our team in Manchester. He brings a wealth of valuable experience spanning a wide range of industry sectors which will really bolster our offering for clients.”
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L to R David Barnett and Peter Buckles
Workspace Design and Build, an employee-owned fit out contractor with a dedicated team of 37 people, has appointed Peter Buckles as Client Relationship Director and David Barnett as Associate Director of Finance.
These strategic hires strengthen the company’s commitment to delivering innovative, cost-effective fit out solutions and robust financial leadership.
Peter Buckles joins Workspace Design and Build with 25 years of experience in the property industry, including prominent roles at Savills and Betfred.
“I aim to build strong relationships by understanding the unique goals of each project,” said Peter. “High-end fit outs don’t always suit achievable rent levels, and costs can impact our clients’ brief. We’re focused on delivering quality work at the right cost to make projects succeed.” His expertise will drive tailored solutions that balance quality and practicality, fostering stronger partnerships across the property sector.
David Barnett, who qualified as accountant in audit with BDO Stoy Hayward 20 years ago, he has spent more than a decade in the property sector, including managing some of Manchester’s most prestigious residential buildings. His diverse background spans pharmaceuticals, oil and energy renewables, and private equity. “I’m excited to join Workspace Design and Build’s senior leadership team, support our finance team, and collaborate with everyone to drive success,” said David. His strategic financial acumen will bolster the company’s growth and operational excellence.
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Lisa Sherlock and Phillip Birchall
Professional services business, Knights, has strengthened its Real Estate team in Manchester with the appointment of a new partner, Phillip Birchall.
With two decades of legal experience – including eight and a half years as Partner in Eversheds and Pinsent Masons, Phill brings a range of expertise to the 60-person strong team of professionals in Manchester, including development and advisory work for private sector developers, public bodies, contractors and investors on complex, multi-phase development and regeneration schemes.
He said: “I am impressed by the clear focus the business has on its clients, its people and the regional markets in which it operates, and it is an exciting time to join.”
Phillip joins Knights as the business gets ready for further growth in the North West and across the country.
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