GIA restructures to ‘confidently step forward’

A recent leadership reshuffle has seen Sam Wallis take over as chief executive, founder Gordon Ingram become chairman, and Michael Beatty take the reins in Manchester.

GIA, formerly known as Gordon Ingram Associates, was founded in 1993 and specialises in rights to light, daylight, and sunlight, as well as building consultancy, measured surveys, and neighbourly matters.

Michael Beatty has taken over the lead at the surveying consultancy’s Manchester office, stepping up to replace Sam Wallis, who has been promoted to chief executive.

Beatty joined GIA from Malcolm Hollis in 2019 and brings 15 years of surveying experience to the position.

Wallis joined GIA from Malcolm Hollis in 2015 and led the opening of the company’s Manchester office the following year. As chief executive, he will now be responsible for GIA’s growth across the UK and Ireland, as well as retaining its market-leading position in London.

Wallis said: “Michael’s hard work, great reputation, and expertise made him the clear frontrunner for the head of Manchester role.

“His team, responsible for our work across the North West, East, Yorkshire, and Midlands, is now 17-strong and well-equipped to meet growing client needs amid an unstoppable period of growth.”

Beatty added: “Recent years have seen excellent growth in the capabilities of GIA across the North and Midlands, notably in our unrivalled experience with daylight, sunlight, and rights of light.

“It’s an honour to take over the helm from Sam, who with the support of our 17-strong team, has built a strong pipeline of landmark projects – especially here in Manchester – like Transmission House, Circle Square, and Glassworks.”

At the same time, Ingram has become chairman of the newly integrated business, following the incorporation of both GIA and GIA North. Remaining central to the business, Ingram will focus his attention on strategic direction and technological development.

Michael Beatty joined GIA in 2019. Credit: via Jennifer Ball PR

These promotions come as the firm has received new investment from Lonsdale Capital Partners to enable accelerated growth across its London, Bristol, Manchester, Belfast, and Dublin offices.

GIA’s expansion will focus on its existing services, as well as the expansion of the company’s investment in technology.

The company has recently been a pioneer of planning technology, with its investment in the formation of smart cities platform VU.CITY and the development of Phoenix, an app that allows complex daylight, sunlight and overshadowing analysis to be undertaken within minutes.

Ingram said: “GIA’s digital capability enables our clients to best manage risk – it is a game-changer.

“This is in part because it can save client time and money, but also because we’re enabling greater transparency by democratising planning through data.”

Wallis added: “Our new leadership structure, substantial investment, and a fresh strategy enable our future-facing business to confidently step forward as our technology advances and capabilities evolve.

“We are now in an exceptionally strong position to make the most of the leap in the quality of information that digitisation offers, and to support our clients to meet the challenges the property sector is set to face in the years ahead.”