Simon Bardell and Stuart Holmes join a seven-strong commercial team responsible for the design and planning stages of new state-of-the-art health, social care and neighbourhood centre developments, commissioned for primary care trusts and local authorities under the Government’s Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative.

They are both seconded to support Sandwell LIFT Company in the West Midlands, working from the local development company’s West Bromwich office. They are set to play a crucial part in helping to deliver the company’s ambitious £80m programme of investment to develop 14 health and neighbourhood centres across the borough over the next five years.

Simon and Stuart’s remit includes identifying suitable plots of land and the exact public sector requirements for new developments, before progressing them to ‘financial close’ when long term public private partnership agreements are signed.
Simon’s career in the public sector construction spans 21 years, having previously been employed by Mansell Construction and Balfour Beatty Construction working on a number of projects benefiting local communities.

Stuart has spent four years in the construction sector, including recently working for Costain on a new £24.3m community hospital development in Spalding.

Commercial services executive at Primary Plus, David Lane says: “I’m delighted both Simon and Stuart have joined us at such an exciting time for our business. Both appointments will strengthen the Primary Plus commercial team. I’m confident they will be an asset to the business and will help us expand our current portfolio of multi-million pound developments across the country.”

Mike Nicklin, general manager of Sandwell LIFT Company adds: “Simon and Stuart join us at a time of significant growth for Sandwell LIFT Company. They are sure to play a crucial role in delivering no less than 14 primary care and council premises over the next few years, developments which are set to benefit thousands of local people for generations to come.”

Primary Plus has to date invested over £280m in 43 new health and social care centres across the Midlands and the North West through six LIFT companies.