Bruntwood plucks Sinclair from Midas

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Greater Manchester inward investment agency Midas, is to leave and join Bruntwood in the new role of special projects director.

Sinclair, 48, has not set a start date as he has to help find his replacement at Midas and fulfil a handover period. At Bruntwood, his first project will be the 415,000 sq ft redevelopment of Manchester Business School for Manchester University. Michael Oglesby, founder of Bruntwood, is chairman of Midas.

Sinclair said: “Bruntwood is a well respected Manchester company and I’m very excited by their ambitious development plans for the future. Whilst I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Midas, after 5 years it is the right time for me to take on a new challenge and I look forward to joining the team.”

Bruntwood’s chief executive, Chris Oglesby, said: “Bruntwood has performed well through the recession and this is a great time to be looking at new opportunities. Colin is a talented individual, who will be a great fit with the team here and his experience will be invaluable as we grow the business’.”

Oglesby said the company was pursuing further acquisitions having survived the downturn with its war chest in tact. The company carried out a £440m mortgage backed securitisation against 48 of its 90 properties at the start of 2007.

The move is the latest senior management position to be filled at Bruntwood in recent months. In November, the firm hired Kate Harrison as its new marketing director, joining from the council’s city centre management company Cityco. In the same month, Bruntwood re-hired David Guest to head its Liverpool office.

Midas said in a statement: “The board of Manchester’s investment agency Midas wishes to express its thanks to Colin Sinclair for his services over the past five years, during which he has held the roles of marketing director and since November 2005 that of chief executive.

“Colin’s performance in his role as chief executive has increased the awareness of the Manchester city region offer throughout the UK, continental Europe and worldwide – an achievement reflected by the increasing number of domestic and foreign-owned businesses choosing to relocate or expand in the city region.

“Challenges in communications and marketing have grown in recent years, and it is testament to him that the profile and perception of the organisation has undergone significant positive changes in this period.

“The board wishes Colin all the best in his new role at Bruntwood, although he will remain with Midas for some time to execute a managed handover and continue the progress and development of the agency.

“The board will start the formal recruitment process for a new chief executive, and it is expected that a replacement will take up the post by June.”