Truro-based national property and construction consultancy, Ward Williams Associates (WWA), has announced the culmination of a two-year leadership evolution strategy, which sees James Beckly take over the role of senior partner from Andy Snapes, the last of the firm’s founding partners to hold the role.
The change in leadership sees Snapes become Ward Williams’ chairman, taking over 40 years’ experience at Ward Williams into an external ambassadorial role, with an internal focus on mentoring and supporting others in the organisation.
Beckly joined Ward Williams in 2017, being promoted to managing partner in 2021. Working closely together with Snapes and the other partners, the senior management team has overseen the firm’s doubling in turnover and witnessed several pivotal milestones. These include the successful restructuring of the business into a custodianship model, and the attainment of B Corporation certification – becoming the first chartered surveying firm in the world to do so.
In 2022 the firm was also awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, bolstering its reputation as one of the leading proponents of sustainability in the built and natural environment.
In this period, Beckly’s leadership of the firm’s project management teams has cemented the company’s foothold in delivering high-quality, sustainable projects. He has also been instrumental in supporting the development of a construction management service, which is delivered under the brand ‘Whitebox’, led by partner Stuart Wilkinson.
As part of this planned evolution, the Ward Williams team is currently in the process of a significant rebranding project – due to launch in January.
Beckly said: “It’s a challenging yet exciting time for our industry, and I’m proud to be taking the lead of the next stage of Ward Williams’ evolution at a time of great transformation. My focus will be on ensuring we’re fit for the future through continued improvements to our infrastructure in readiness for AI integration and improving our service delivery through the formation of strategic partnerships with other industry leaders.”
Snapes added: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead Ward Williams over the past ten years. I am hugely proud of the legacy of sustainable growth and the many other notable achievements that we have been able to deliver as a team working together. The development of Ward Williams is a tribute to the sum of the many parts that it now encompasses.”
He added: “I have absolutely no doubt that James and the other partners will continue to lead and further develop Ward Williams in the right way. I look forward to supporting them in their endeavours, and I wish James every success as he takes the helm and guides the good ship Ward Williams on the next stage of its voyage.”
