Graham + Sibbald promotes 18; CBRE's UK boss to fly the nest; Bidwells picks duo to lead new department

(Updated on 17 April 2025 to reflect promotions at Graham + Sibbald were to director and associate level)

Sara Mathieson is one of six Graham + Sibbald staff to be elevated to director level as part of a wider round of 18 promotions at one of the UK’s leading property consultancy services. Calum McKenzie, Vishal Pankhania, Kevin Masson, Michael Gill and Kenny McKenzie also become directors for the firm.

The 12 staff promoted to associate level are based across the business' offices in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and London. The 18 promotions follow the firm's recruitment of two directors in London made at the end of last year.

Senior Partner Les McAndrew told CoStar News in an email: "The promotion of the 18 individuals to Directors and Associates is very well deserved and imperative to the growth of our business.

"This achievement truly reflects the knowledge and expertise we have across all offices and departments at G+S. As we continue to grow across the UK the support from these individuals will be fundamental."

Ciaran Bird, the chief executive of CBRE's UK and Ireland advisory business, has announced that he will step down from his role, with the global property consultancy beginning its hunt for a new leader. Bird will continue to lead the Dallas-based brokerage's UK and Ireland business for the time being, working with the UK advisory executive committee until a successor is in place. He joined CBRE 20 years ago when it bought retail adviser Dalgleish, where Bird worked. He said: "I have had the best job imaginable for the past dozen-plus years. After all this time, I’ve decided that the time is right for a new leader to take the reins of the UK business."

Bidwells partners Mark Buddle and Neil Kelly have been appointed to lead the firm's dedicated land and development department. The UK real estate advisor said the new division would bolster its residential development service and expand into development management and professional services in the living sector. It added that the team will focus on greenfield development and strategic land, as well as development management and mixed-use opportunities. Buddle, head of the land and development department, said: "We are enhancing our ability to provide comprehensive, market-leading advice to landowners, investors, and developers."

Avison Young has made two hires in its Glasgow office as part of the firm's continued growth in Scotland, with Clare Jamieson and George Ho joining. Jamieson, who enters as a senior architect, has more than 25 years of design and construction experience across the public and private sector. She ran her own architecture practice for more than seven years before joining and will sit on the firm's building consultancy team. Ho, who becomes a surveyor in Avison Young Glasgow’s real estate, facilities and infrastructure management business group, has more than 20 years' experience in property management and worked in Hong Kong, where he managed retail properties.

Matthew Carpen has been appointed to the role of chief executive of the Mayor of London’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation who is set to replace David Lunts after six years. The OPDC describes Carpen as having a "long background in strategic planning and infrastructure delivery", spending 22 years working in London on major projects. He is Managing Director of Barking Riverside, a joint venture between the Mayor of London and L&Q. He has been a Board Member of OPDC since 2022 and is a member of its Development, Investment and Sustainability Committee. Carpen will take up his role later this year, with Lunts continuing until then.

Janine Cole, GPE's sustainability and social impact director, has said its second Social Impact Strategy will support "improved long-term employment opportunities and the delivery of healthier, greener spaces" after its first strategy helped to generated around £4 million of social value. The listed London developer announced on Tuesday that it would "double down" on certain areas to deliver the "most meaningful change for communities in the capital" through its 'A Fairer Future for London' strategy. The core pillars of the plan include promoting inclusive communities, delivering "healthier, greener, spaces" and nurturing strong partnerships. GPE published its first strategy in 2021.