Dickman leaving Patrick Properties for Barwood

Barwood Developments has recruited Andrew Dickman to head up a new Northern office based in Manchester.

The property development and investment company is based in Northampton and was formed in 1996 by a management buy-out from Wilson Connolly. The Manchester city centre office will open in August.

At Patrick Properties, backed by Brian Kennedy, Dickman helped establish a portfolio valued in excess of £100m.

Dickman said: "Barwood is a dynamic firm that has significant track record, in-house skills and resources and the financial ability to take full advantage of the deals I am seeing out there – particularly larger scale opportunities. I learnt a lot whilst at Patrick Properties but felt the time was right for me to take on new challenges and I am very excited to be part of the Barwood team."

Richard Bowen, managing director of Barwood, said: "Whilst we have successfully carried out developments in the North previously, to be really effective and to offer best service to occupiers and joint venture partners we really felt it important to have both a dedicated office and a real presence on the ground. Andrew has a very strong reputation within the market and I am confident that with his expertise and knowledge, we will quickly be firmly established as an eminent force within the North."

Patrick Properties is expected to appoint an asset manager to oversee the portfolio but no one has been named at this stage.