Company News

New Ways to Build Structures on Water
Thu 11th Feb 10 - 12:59

Euromarina Review - Issue 7, 2009

At a time when many property companies are only just keeping their heads above water, niche developer Floating Concepts Ltd is going against the tide by making two new senior appointments to strengthen its existing team.

American Architect Jonathan Baker (40) joins the Board to oversee design issues and to develop and expand the company's own design concepts.  These include its floating homes, hotels, offices, student houseboats and affordable 'buy-to-let' concepts.

Baker, who cut his teeth on designing floating structures in Denmark, is one of the world's elite group of 'aquatects' - architects who have not only designed floating structures, but have seen them built, floated and occupied.  "I am looking forward to applying this wealth of experience I have amassed in designing residential floating communities to Denmark to the UK," says Baker, who has 19 to his name so far.  "I see enormous opportunities both for the regeneration of the UK's many redundant docks and harbours as well as bringing forward imaginative, but realistic solutions to the flood threat arising from climate change."

Jane Wilby-Palmer (28), who holds a law degree and has a legal and commercial property background, will head administration with particularly responsibility for legal matters.  A passionate advocate for eco-living, Jane sees her appointment as "an exciting opportunity to be involved with a company with an environmental conscience producing low-impact, sustainable floating structures, as well as pioneering innovative solutions to deal with the consequences of climate change".

Floating Concepts CEO David Beard is up-beat about his unique property venture despite the downturn in the economy.  "The recession has been a fantastic opportunity for us to take up the lead position in a new emerging market," says Beard.  "Blue-field sites - once a hitherto unrecognised, national resource, are as valid a development medium as their brown and green-field sisters.  Jonathan will bring a global perspective to the company's activities whilst Jane will co-ordinate all aspects of the business.  These latest appointments will take our management resources up to the next level when I expect to recapitalise the company to achieve the sort of explosive growth that will guarantee market dominance from a 2010/2013 recovery onwards."

Beard has over 30 years experience in property development in the UK and was part of the syndicate of investors involved in the early regeneration of Liverpool South Docks in the 1980s.  He now owns the 350-berth Liverpool Marina and his last land-based project was the £million Citygate complex in Manchester.

Download PDF

Back to Latest News

View the Archive