GL Hearn beefs up housing team

Two development directors have been appointed to the Manchester office of consultancy GL Hearn to support the firm’s national housing strategy and delivery.

The recruitment of Neil Pickering and Andrew Rennie follows the appointment last autumn of Deborah McLaughlin, the former regional chief executive of the Homes & Communities Agency, who leads nationally on housing at the Capita subsidiary.

Pickering started with GL Hearn in July. He spent 10 years as managing director of David Taylor Partnerships between 2000 and 2010 including a three-year spell on secondment with the New East Manchester urban regeneration company, He then joined the HCA as part of the North West senior management team, during which time he took on a national role heading disposals of non-strategic land.

Rennie, who joined earlier this year, had previously spent time with Berkeley, Barratt Developments and most recently Lendlease. He specialises in land and property acquisition, and development management for residential and mixed-use projects which have included build-to-rent in urban and suburban environments.

McLaughlin said: “Both Neil and Andrew bring with them a wealth of vital expertise, and will help strengthen GL Hearn’s reputation and experience in development management. I look forward to working with them as we seek to expand GL Hearn’s delivery of housing-related projects.”

Alastair Crowdy, managing director of GL Hearn and Capita’s real estate advisory business, added: “This is very much part of our commitment to deliver housing solutions on a national scale retaining a local touch, working on the ground in communities across the country with a priority focus on Manchester and the North West region.”