Bruntwood has appointed a new chief operating officer and director of strategy.
Richard Burgess, currently director of property management, has been promoted to chief operating officer.
Manchester City Council’s head of policy Jessica Bowles has been appointed as director of strategy.
Bowles has worked at the council for six years and was involved in shaping Manchester’s devolution deal and its relationship with other cities abroad and domestically.
Burgess has been with Bruntwood for 14 years and prior to his current role he ran the company’s operation in Leeds and then its facilities management division.
The role of chief operating officer has been vacant since Rowena Burns stepped down in 2012 to join Manchester Science Partnerships as chief executive.
Bruntwood chief executive Chris Oglesby said: “Our strategy has always been aligned with the growth strategies of our cities.
“As these strategies have become more ambitious, reflected in city region devolution deals and the wider geographies of the northern powerhouse and Midlands engine, Jessica’s strategic skills and deep understanding of our cities’ socio-economic and political landscape make her the ideal fit for the role.
“At the same time, we are looking to broaden our service proposition and deepen our customer relationships and, in Richard, we have a first-class operator that understands our business and will ensure that we are able to deliver our ambitious strategic plan.”
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