Board appointments at PlaceFirst

Specialist empty homes developer, PlaceFirst, has announced two senior recruits to its management team.

Prof Peter Lloyd, an advisor to the European Commission, as a board advisor and non-executive director.

David Skidmore joins as director of development, responsible for all new development, project management and design services.

Lloyd was an academic geographer for several years, working as a teacher and researcher at the universities of Queensland, Manchester, Queens University Ontario and finally Liverpool, where he was head of geography and dean of the faculty of social and environmental studies. Between 2005 and 2011 he was a technical director at international research consultant Ecorys.

Skidmore joins PlaceFirst with a wide-ranging background in property development, architectural and urban design, including senior roles at architect Broadway Malyan and developer Modus, which collapsed in 2009.

At PlaceFirst, Skidmore will have responsibility for new development, project management, and design services on private rental market projects and other property ventures.

David Smith-Milne, PlaceFirst founder and managing director, said: "David and Peter are outstanding additions to the executive team at PlaceFirst.

"Peter brings a new dimension to our board, in particular a handle on major European and national policy issues directly relevant to our business. David's extensive experience in the delivery of large scale residential and mixed use regeneration projects will prove invaluable as we look to take on a number of exciting new projects in the coming months."