FEC launches in-house ops division

Found will manage both residential and commercial spaces within the developer’s portfolio, including at the £4bn Victoria North in Manchester.

FEC has launched the operational brand to provide an “end-to-end” offering aimed at improving customer experience.

Found will be split into two sub-divisions: Found Living will manage homes and Found Spaces will manage the developer’s commercial portfolio.

Gemma Price has been appointed the firm’s managing director. She previously spent five years as director of residential at Urbanbubble before moving to FEC last year.

“As developers of some of the UK’s most high-profile regeneration projects, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to both support existing communities and provide sustainable improvements to the existing neighbourhoods,” Price said.

“That is why creating one, in-house operational brand was so important, to ensure that we can take people on that journey with us and create places that bring people together and enhance what already exists.”

As well as supporting residents, Found will continue the work FEC has done with its commercial portfolio, which has attracted occupiers including restaurant The Sparrows, bakery Half Dozen Other, and bar and venue Grub at Red Bank, part of the Victoria North masterplan.

While the above have become household names in recent years, they began life at Red Bank as part of FEC’s proactive approach to meanwhile uses at Victoria North, which seeks to activate vacant spaces and sites in the lead up to their redevelopment.

The first of these initiatives launched under the Found banner is Arch 19 at Red Bank, which will be used to host pop-ups, community activations and third-party events to draw more people to the area and provide a place that the wider Victoria North community can also use.

Gavin Taylor, regional general manager at FEC Manchester, added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for FEC as we take the bold step into creating a truly end-to-end offering for all of our customers, from residents through to investment partners.

“This unique holistic approach will help us to drive better investment opportunities for our stakeholders and drive further inward investment into the cities we operate within, supporting their long-term growth.”