Two on board at Maple Grove

The development arm of Eric Wright Group has added Nik Puttnam as senior development manager and Richard Willacy as development project manager as the division continues to grow under managing director Karen Hirst.

Puttnam worked with Hirst at the Central Salford urban regeneration company and Salford City Council before joining Liverpool City Council as a divisional manager for development and housing.

Willacy, who brings 30 years’ experience in construction, joins from consultancy Naismiths and previously worked for supermarket group Booths. Both have now started work with the Lancashire business.

Hirst, who joined Maple Grove in June 2016 and became managing director in January 2018, said: “Bringing Nik on board is a significant coup for the company. Having worked together for eight years, his experience in seeing developments through from inception to delivery is unrivalled.

“Working with Andrew Dewhurst, Allan Gundry, Richard Willacy and the wider team, Nik’s remit will be to develop existing partnerships, forge new ones, and bring forward new stand-alone development opportunities.”

Puttnam said: “The opportunity to work with Karen at one of the North’s most respected and reliable development companies was one I simply couldn’t turn down. Maple Grove has developed long-term relationships with both the public and private sector and I look forward to working with the team to further grow this arm of the business.”

Projects MGD is currently involved in include the £430m Cuerden scheme south of Preston, with Brookhouse and Lancashire County Council, and Hattersley Retail Park, with Tameside Council and Onward Homes. In March, it was selected by Burnley Council for the much-awaited Pioneer Place leisure and retail scheme.