Director Promotions

Buro Four, known for its management of some of the most forward thinking projects in the built environment sector, is strengthening its management team with a series of director promotions as the company looks to the next generation to pioneer Buro Four into the future. These promotions are a result of the development of a five year plan with a robust new management structure, following the stepping down of Director and Chairman Iain Roberts.

Iain led Buro Four through unprecedented change in the industry, providing the vision and leadership to allow Buro Four to be at the forefront of 21st century project management and become trusted advisors to clients. After 32 successful years and a strong level of work secured for 2020, Iain has laid the carpet out for talents within Buro Four’s senior leadership teams to take the reins.

James Foreman, Julian Kent, Tony Smith and Peter Inskip have all been appointed as Directors within the London office, a move which allows the business to nurture staff at all levels whilst providing the drive to maximise opportunities in key sectors including commercial, residential, science, research, cultural, data and critical engineering.

The promotions are part of a strategy to move towards a more dynamic and inclusive management board for future operations of the business, creating more opportunities for progression and a clearer succession path.

James Foreman, previously a Pastor for his local church in Brighton, brings invaluable skills and perspective from outside the property industry. He and Julian Kent both joined Buro Four in 2018 and have since delivered flagship projects within the media sector for Thompson Reuters, Refinitiv and IMG. James is also a key account manager for multiple projects for Quilter and Julian is leading the Marylebone Lane Hotel for Shiva Hotels and The Portman Estate’s 1-4 Marble Arch scheme.

Tony Smith has led the Commercial Office Sector delivery for the last 18 months having delivered schemes for GAW Capital, Castleforge Partners and Anglo American De Beers.

Peter has been with Buro Four for 24 years and has enjoyed managing the delivery multiple project for Great Portland Estates, The Crown Estate and Derwent London, and is currently working with the Museum of London on the iconic relocation to Smithfield Market which received planning last month.

Ian Higgs, Managing Director said “As an Employee Benefit Trust and with longevity and progress at the heart of our values, it is important that we nurture our leadership team and allow others the opportunity to step up and steer Buro Four into the future. Being able to make these promotions gives us a lot of confidence and optimism for the future, especially in a world dealing with the angst of Covid-19. We have a good level of secured work and we can already feel a sense of normality returning to the industry, especially with landmark projects such as the Museum of London receiving planning permission. For us at Buro Four 2020 is not ‘cancelled’ but instead the perfect opportunity to allow our business to evolve effectively and respond to the needs of the ever-changing world”.