As reported by Property Week, Workman has appointed Julia Bower as Director of Design for Management to lead the firm’s dedicated service supporting clients through development and refurbishment projects.
The firm is expanding its design for management capability in response to growing client demand, as more landlords look to reposition assets, convert use classes, and navigate the operational complexities of mixed-use schemes and large-scale regeneration projects.
Julia brings more than 20 years’ experience in design for management consultancy, most recently at JLL where she advised investors and developers including Lendlease, Hammerson, Homes England, Henry Boot, Railpen, Royal London, and Prologis on single builds and complex schemes of all use classes.
“Design for management relates to all use classes and applies equally to reconfiguration schemes such as converting an FRI to a multi-let or repurposing a shopping centre as it does to major new developments and regeneration projects. First and foremost, it’s about protecting a client’s interests ensuring they are delivering a scheme that can be managed in accordance with the vision, at the required service charge level and complying with the requirements of its sustainability ratings. It’s basically applying a property management lens’ to the project, working alongside the design team and then mobilising the asset to full management where required. Early engagement avoids the need for expensive retrofitting, issues with service charge recoverability, and operational shortfalls, and ensures unfettered exit strategies are achieved when required.”
Julia Bower Director of Design for Management
“Julia’s level of expertise will ensure our advice is holistic, properly resourced, and seamlessly interlinked with other specialisms across our business. For clients with development pipelines or complex refurbishment projects across our portfolios, this creates real value, and protects them from issues that are expensive to fix later.”
Richard Hart Head of Property Management
Workman’s design for management service covers the full project lifecycle – from aligning design intent with operational realities through space-planning, systems integration and compliance considerations, to handling mobilisation, establishing management structures, occupational modelling, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams across property management, facilities management, sustainability, placemaking, and building technology.
