WARD WILLIAMS ASSOCIATES

Ward Williams Associates today announced the appointment of James Beckly as Managing Partner. As part of WWA’s “Next Steps for the Future” plan, James will work alongside Senior Partner, Andy Snapes, to support the development of the business’s growth plan towards a national presence, providing built-environment professional services across the UK.

James is a highly experienced and innovative professional with over 20 years’ property development and construction industry experience. He has worked for developers, consultants, and construction managers across a broad range of market sectors and geographical locations in the UK and overseas. His primary focus will be on the operational delivery within the business, as well as progressing towards the Senior Partner role, when Andy stands down in November 2023.

Andy said: “It is fantastic to have someone of James’ capability and experience joining me at the helm of the business as we prepare for the next phase of our evolution. It is also critical that we plan for a seamless transition of the senior leadership role, and provide reassurance to our team, our clients, and everyone that works with WWA, that it will be business as usual when the time comes for me to stand down as Senior Partner. I have every confidence that James’ drive, infectious personality, and professionalism will significantly add to our capacity to evolve and sustainably grow. I offer him my unequivocal support and congratulations as he assumes this important new role for the business.”

Despite the challenges presented by the Covid epidemic, WWA has continued to develop and expand its UK reach during 2020. In July, WWA became the first Chartered Surveyors in the World to achieve B Corp™ certification, and in October the business staked its first foothold in the North, by opening a Manchester office. Exciting plans for further office locations are in the pipeline for 2021, as well as the establishment of “WWA Futures”, the business’s advanced training and development programme.

James will continue to lead WWA’s Project Management team, and as with all WWA Partners, he will maintain his input and leadership to strategic projects in the UK and Europe.

Whilst preparing to take up the Managing Partner position, James said: “I am delighted that the Board has placed its faith in me to take forward this new and challenging role for the business. Over the past 45 years, WWA has continued to evolve and sustainably grow, and my aim is to support Andy and the wider team in continuing with that philosophy and ambition. Importantly, as we transition towards Andy standing down as Senior Partner in 2023, the Board considers it imperative that we ensure a seamless transition. I am slightly daunted by the responsibility and equally acutely aware of the importance of continuing with the culture and values that Andy, and those who went before him, have imprinted into WWA.”