Jones joins Nikal

Darren Jones, who left his post as managing director of Himor in October, has joined the Manchester business as development director.

Prior to his time at Himor, Jones spent a fruitful four years as director of economic development at Oldham Council, bringing forward the Old Town Hall project, a scheme that had struggled for years to get off the ground.

He has also run his own business, Reflect Developments, and spent 18 years with Orbit.

Nikal co-founder and managing director, Nick Payne, said: “We are delighted that Darren has joined us. He brings to the team 30 years’ of private and public sector experience in regeneration, development and management.

“He will provide strategic advice, help deliver complex brownfield projects where we work in partnership with landowners, local planning authorities and community groups across the UK and help us focus on expanding the activities of our homebuilder brand Hillcrest Homes.”

Jones said: “I have known Nick for 35 years and greatly admired the achievements of the Nikal Group so was delighted when he asked me to come on board. I look forward to working closely with Nick and the Nikal and Hillcrest Homes teams to deliver some fantastic new projects.”

Based at Mynshulls House, Nikal’s projects include the development of the Soapworks in Salford Quays with Abstract and Carlyle, subsequently sold to the Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund; Altair, the mixed-use Altrincham scheme where a second phase of residential won consent in summer 2017; and Masshouse, an ongoing long-term regeneration project on the edge of Birmingham city centre.