Arcadis head of residential Mark Farmer has set up a new specialist consultancy that will focus on residential development and investment.
Two other Arcadis parties, Joe Thornton and Neil Brearley, have also left to join the consultancy, called Cast.
It will focus on the build-to-rent housing, student accommodation, senior living and prime London residential markets, and will work with Arcadis, which merged with EC Harris in 2011, and advise some of its clients.
“We welcome the ability to collaborate with Arcadis and to tap into its vast network when our clients need it but also to have the freedom to focus our new business on niche areas that we think will grow in importance,” said Farmer.
He said there was a significant opportunity for the industry to modernise itself and deliver housing more efficiently, particularly in the face of a severe capacity challenge.
Farmer added: “We want to be at the forefront of delivering innovative projects that are both viable and don’t create undue risk for our clients.
“But ultimately these choices must be driven by delivering a better result for our clients and their customers.”
