Bulked-up FEC moves to Northern Assurance

Far East Consortium, which is responsible for the £200m MeadowSide scheme in NOMA, along with being Manchester City Council’s lead developer on the Northern Gateway, has moved into 4,000 sq ft at LJ Partnership’s Northern Assurance Buildings.

FEC has expanded its management team as it closes in on a start date for the 756-home MeadowSide scheme, necessitating a move from its previous Portland Street base. The team is led by regional general manager Gavin Taylor, who said:

“As a proud Mancunian I’m genuinely honoured to have recruited such outstanding talent to deliver a landmark scheme to breathe new life into the biggest green space in central Manchester by creating a new residential community and neighbourhood.

“Angel Meadow is a hidden gem in our city and our homes will provide a unique opportunity for residents to enjoy the rare benefits of city living and park life.” Taylor previously worked for Manchester Airports Group and moved from Beijing Construction Engineering Group International in late 2016.

Taylor has built up the team over the summer, so that it now includes project director Tom Fenton, who joined from Capital & Centric in June and was previously with Urban Splash and Sheffield Housing Company; development manager Hillary Brett, who previously led the environmental team at How Planning; and Tom Pool, also ex-Urban Splash, who joined in April and is also a development manager.

The team is completed by commercial manager ToonHuat Ang and office manager Harriet Kingsbury.

The Northern Assurance Buildings is part of LJ Prtnership’s Albert Estate, a collection of heritage offices around Albert Square. LJ was represented by property agents JLL.

The Manchester offices of JLL and Cushman & Wakefield are joint agents on MeadowSide.