Identity Consult promotes Milnes, acquires CDA
Andrew Milnes has taken charge of North East operations at the Sunderland-headquartered development and construction consultancy, which has acquired Midlands business Carl Dean Associates.
Even prior to taking on a firm that gives it a West Midlands base outside its Northern heartland, IC had has instigated a regional restructure, which has also seen Alex Atkinson step up to lead the North West and a raft of promotions across the two offices.
The new leadership structure of the North East and North West regions will be replicated in the Yorkshire region in due course.
Milnes will oversee activity in the Sunderland office, where a 37-strong team is based.
He joined Identity Consult more than a decade ago, and was part of the management buyout in 2018, where he went on to lead the project management team in the region.
In 2022, he stepped away from this role, turning his attention to growing IC’s portfolio, expanding IC’s services and regional presence.
Milnes, who also serves on the RICS North East regional board, said: “I have been part of the North East construction industry since I graduated, and I’ve long been a part of the IC story, and am delighted to start this new chapter.
“IC is an organisation dedicated to its employees, investing in its people and – as is evident today – promoting from within. I am proud to have earned this new role and look forward to collaborating with my colleagues, our clients and the wider North East industry to help deliver fantastic service and projects for our region.”
Other changes at IC include Michelle Merry being promoted to director of HR and social value, while colleagues Greg Humphreyson, Kayleigh Fuller, Amy Shepherdson and Adam Derbyshire each earn promotions in the North East office.
IC managing director Mark Doherty explained: “Our IC people are the cornerstone of our success, and we are committed to fostering their growth within the company, promoting those already within our team while investing in new recruits, equipping them with the skills and expertise necessary to excel.
“My congratulations to each of these colleagues; these changes will allow continued growth across the company, with the right leadership team in place, and colleagues like Andrew and Alex immersed in their regions and now empowered to make the best decisions around local issues.
“They and each of our colleagues are in a fantastic position to support more clients in the delivery of all our projects across the North of England.”
Sutton Coldfield-based CDA was established in 1993 nurturing a portfolio and specialising primarily in the health and automotive sectors. Offering a comprehensive suite of services including quantity surveying, cost and project management, and delivery services, CDA manages projects with values reaching up to £20m.
The restructure and acquisition come on the back of increasing turnover for IC: during the past year it has announced an increase in sales to £6.6m from £5.8m.
In recent months, IC has won a raft of instructions, including significant work in the North East: a £50m undertaking with Redcar & Cleveland Council and work with Northumberland Council on the regeneration of Ashington.
In Redcar it is working on Town Deal projects including the cultural anchor scheme that will see the M&S and Goodwins buildings replaced by cultural space and an outdoor events arena, along with public realm works: it is also working on Redcar station’s redevelopment and the Temperance Square scheme.
