DEP’s Podmore completes buyout

The Manchester-based landscape architecture practice has completed a partnership buyout led by founder and director Chris Podmore.

Podmore has bought out former partner Rory McVean, placing the practice into new ownership and marking a transition to “enable future expansion plans and growth”, the company said.

Specialising in urban regeneration, landscape assessments, landscape planning, and project delivery, DEP was set up in 2010 and works to produce sustainable and biodiverse schemes. It has eight members of staff.

DEP is the landscape architect on the £135m redevelopment of The Galleries shopping centre in Wigan into a mixed-use scheme with housing, a public square, and other public realm.

The practice also worked on the First Light visitors centre at Jodrell Bank in Lower Withington, Cheshire, and the 1,500-pupil Oasis Academy Leesbrook in Oldham, among other projects across the UK.

Podmore said: “This partnership buyout heralds a fresh start for DEP as we look to build on our success and expand the business. We have a dedicated, passionate, and highly skilled team and this move demonstrates our commitment to them and their future.

“There’s an exciting road ahead as we continue to deliver sustainable, creative improvements to landscape and public realm, while facing a climate crisis,” he added.