Director leaves Barlows to go it alone

Barlows, the Chester-based developer, announced that it has accepted the resignation of Andrew Bird, property director, who is leaving to set up his own retail development business.

Trading as Tilstone Estates, Bird's company will focus on the retail development market pursuing both in-town and out of town retail solutions. In addition to new opportunities, Tilstone will have a number of joint ventures with Barlows and the two companies will continue to work together on the implementation of existing Barlows projects.

Chairman of Barlows, Richard Fildes, said: "Andrew joined the board of Barlows in 1994 since when he has been largely responsible for devising, and subsequently implementing, the property investment and development strategy. He has taken us through many projects, carefully managing risk and delivering on forecasts. It has been a very successful partnership and now we respect Andrew's decision to lead his own business.

"We are delighted that he has agreed to continue to work with us in a number of joint ventures where we will continue to benefit from his development expertise."

Bird said: "It has been a fantastic 19 years working with Barlows; we have taken the company through a number of key evolutionary changes but now the time has come to split the resources of the company. Tilstone will focus on retail development and asset management opportunities. There are a number of exciting projects from land assembly schemes through to pre-let development which will form the core focus of the new business. Existing joint ventures will provide the opportunity to hit the ground running with an exciting development portfolio."

Charles Shepherd steps up to the role of property director of Barlows. He has served 12 years with the company which will continue to focus on North West commercial investment and development projects, such as the 160-bed Travelodge Hotel in Chester due to complete in July 2010.