Appointments

McBains Cooper has poached Alan Muse from DBK Back. Muse was on the team that pulled off an MBO in August 2005 at DBK Back, formerly Back Group, which was led by three other directors.

He has been appointed director of project management in London, where he will build up commercial development business for McBains.

Muse has been charged with doubling the turnover of the multidisciplinary consultancy's three south Eastern offices, in London, Eaton and Oxford. The firm's overall turnover is £12m.

He will run a team of 20 project managers and QSs, which he is looking to bulk up with three to four PMs in the coming 18 months at both senior and junior level.

Muse was the director of DBK Back's London office, which he grew from inception in 1999 to a 15-strong team. The three leaders of the MBO at the company were Duncan Berry, Tim Downing and Steve Kelly. They are understood to retain a controlling stake between them.

Muse said he moved to McBains in order to "get involved in a wider arena". McBains currently works mostly in the public sector and on mixed use urban regeneration schemes. It is aiming to win more work on industrial, office and retail projects.

Before Back Group, Muse worked for Bucknall Austin.

Vector hires McStay

Vector Management has appointed James McStay as head of project management in its aviation division. McStay, who joins from the Heery arm of Balfour Beatty, will focus on expanding the company into sectors that compliment its aviation operations.

McStay's recent clients include Babcock & Brown, Sun Microsystems, the government of Singapore, Value Retail and MTV.

EC Harris promotion

EC Harris has promoted Marcos Uttley to general manager for its Spanish operation. Marcus, who previously worked for ING Real Estate and Ferrevial, will focus on the firm's retail development. Javier Jimenez, who heads the technical delivery teams, will support him.

Wolton adds surveyors

Wolton Commercial, a division of Wolton Chartered Surveyors, has announced three appointments. Anthony Bellis, Una Heywood and Stephen Reed join as senior commercial surveyors. They will focus on developing the company within the commercial market.