Bruntwood’s Renn departs

Tom Renn has left Bruntwood SciTech after three years as managing director to join US developer Breakthrough Properties. 

Breakthrough is backed by a joint venture between investors Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital and has offices in Los Angeles, Boston, New York and San Diego. 

The company specialises in acquiring, developing, and operating life science properties in leading urban technology centres. 

Breakthrough’s projects include the 263,000 sq ft The105 on West First Street in Boston, let to gene editing company CRISPR. 

Renn joins Breakthrough as vice president of acquisitions and development and will head up the company’s expansion into Europe. He will be based in the UK.  

“Tom brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Breakthrough Properties. His passion for collaboration will allow Breakthrough to expand across key markets in Europe,” said Daniel D’Orazi, executive vice president and head of acquisitions at Breakthrough. 

During his time at Bruntwood SciTech, Renn led on projects including Manchester Science Park, the £1.5bn ID Manchester and Circle Square on Oxford Road. 

Prior to becoming manging director of Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture with Legal & General, Renn spent eight years at Manchester Science Partnerships, another Bruntwood owned company. 

In total, Renn has been affiliated with Bruntwood for more than 12 years. 

Kate Lawlor, chief executive at Bruntwood SciTech confirmed Deb Hetherington would take over from Renn, “expanding her innovation services role to encompass Manchester as well as Leeds”. 

“A new leadership structure for Bruntwood SciTech in the city, including the ID Manchester joint venture with the University of Manchester, will be established over the coming months. The Bruntwood SciTech team wish Tom every success in his new role.”