GVA Business Development manager takes Chair at BCO NextGen

Gemma Wilkinson, GVA. Picture by Shaun Fellows / Shine Pix

Gemma Wilkinson has been appointed as Midlands Chair of the BCO NextGen committee.

Business Development manager for GVA’s National Offices and Education teams, Gemma will oversee and define the delivery of the organisation’s events programme for the next year.

BCO NextGen is a branch of the British Council for Offices (BCO) aimed at encouraging networking and sharing of knowledge between young professionals in the commercial property sector.

It is the only multi-disciplinary membership organisation for the offices sector in the UK, with members from disciplines including architects, engineers, designers, agents, surveyors and property managers.

Gemma said: “Working at one of the country’s leading real estate advisory firms  provides a great basis of what’s current and relevant within the market and this is a really exciting time for the commercial offices sector in the Midlands.

“Aside from the significant developments like Friargate in Coventry and Paradise and Arena Central in Birmingham, we are seeing more refurbishments of existing stock to satisfy the requirements of the huge number of businesses that want to relocate to this region.

“The BCO NextGen committee has already established a fantastic programme of talks, tours and activities and over the next year my goal is to build on this. I’d like to open up the organisation to more new members, particularly graduates, increase our involvement in CSR-based activity and link-in with the main BCO committee in the region to open up mentoring opportunities for our members.”

Gemma will be taking over from current chair, Joe Vale, Associate at Robinson Low Francis.

Joe said: “I’m confident that Gemma will be a great Chair for BCO NextGen in the Midlands over the coming year. She’s got some fantastic ideas and a really energetic approach to the organisation.”

Established in 1990, the British Council for Offices (BCO) is Britain’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector, with a clear goal to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the design, construction and occupation of offices.