Double appointment at Ridge & Partners
Andrew McNaghten is joining from Walker Sime to run the Leeds office, while Sia Taghaboni is taking up the newly created role as head of civil and structural engineering.
McNaghten takes over the running of the Yorkshire office from partner Phil Tomalin, who remains with the firm.
He was previously a director at Walker Sime, with more than 18 years’ experience managing and delivering multidiscipline programmes from site appraisal through to contract completion and across a variety of sectors.
Notable previous projects include directing the development of the University of York’s Institute for Safe Autonomy building; acting as project director on phase one of the mixed-use regeneration of Birkenhead town centre as part of a joint venture between Muse and Wirral Council; and leading on the delivery of The Barnum 348 unit BTR residential development in Nottingham, a joint venture between Bloc Group and Network Rail.
Taghaboni joins from Stantec where he was technical director and has extensive experience at firms including Hydrock, Fairhurst and Buro Happold.
He has served as the chair of the Yorkshire regional group of industry body The Institution of Structural Engineers and been involved in notable projects such as the £56m refurbishment of the grade two-listed Radisson Red hotel at North Western Hall in Liverpool; and being responsible for civil and structural engineering on Stanbrook Abbey in North Yorkshire.
The built environment consultancy is looking to continue to grow in Yorkshire, with its office having expanded rapidly following the acquisition of Leeds-based Projex Building Solutions in 2021.
The Leeds office now has 56 staff, and both McNaghten and Taghaboni will be based there.
In Yorkshire, Ridge works 50/50 across public and private sector projects, in disciplines such as project management, sustainability, mechanical and electrical, and structural and civil engineering.
“We have a talented team of civil and structural engineers here at Ridge working across some amazing projects and there is real potential in where we’re headed.”
Phil Tomalin added: “Having enjoyed year on year growth we plan to continue building on this moment with a move to larger premises in Leeds over the coming months.
“Looking ahead, despite an uncertain macroeconomic landscape, we are optimistic about the opportunities here in Yorkshire and across the North, driven by public and private sector priorities across sectors including residential, education, and healthcare in areas such as estate management and sustainable development.”
