Newbies at PlaceFirst
PlaceFirst, the Manchester-based build-to-rent developer, has expanded its professional team with four appointments in the past two months and an internal promotion.
The appointments were made as the company continues to expand its PRS portfolio with 50 units delivered, over 300 currently on-site or secured, and over 400 in procurement.
The company is transforming the private rental sector across the north of England, delivering distinctive and well considered family homes that are accessible to low-income households caught in the gap between home ownership and social housing.
Sarah Barnicle joined as property and lettings manager from Kingston Shaw Residential where she managed a large portfolio of properties at One Park West development in Liverpool.
Olly Crotch joined the team from contractor Southdale bringing with him experience of residential delivery. As construction manager, he will work closely with PlaceFirst’s development team and oversee onsite delivery of the company’s expanding build-to-rent programme.
Ya Yang is a chartered accountant and joined from Co-operative Bank as management accountant. Yang will manage a broad range of finance functions from daily finance tasks to financial reports for Board, its investors and other funding providers.
Andrew Bealby joined the company in 2013 as a graduate trainee and has been promoted to property and lettings assistant. Bealby will work alongside Sarah Barnicle, providing customer service support to PlaceFirst’s growing client base.
Architect Mike Mason joined PlaceFirst’s in-house design studio, PlaceFirst Architects, from Gibson Architects and will provide a wide range of architectural services from concept development through to completion. He has an extensive range of residential experience and will lead the design delivery of PlaceFirst’s West End Two scheme in Morecambe, transforming empty, former guesthouses into 55 new family homes centred around a landscaped courtyard.
David Smith-Milne, managing director of PlaceFirst, said: “It’s great to be able to welcome our latest additions to the PlaceFirst team, all of whom bring vital experience and energy across their respective roles. These recruitments reflect the growth of the business, demonstrating the very real need for a quality family offer in the private rented sector.”
PlaceFirst now employs 15 people from its office in Castlefield.
